Recombinant toxin fragments

ABSTRACT

A single polypeptide is provided which comprises first and second domains. The first domain enables the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis, and the second domain enables the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or increases the solubility of the polypeptide, or both. The polypeptide thus combines useful properties of a clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum or tetanus toxin, without the toxicity associated with the natural molecule. The polypeptide can also contain a third domain that targets it to a specific cell, rendering the polypeptide useful in inhibition of exocytosis in target cells. Fusion proteins comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and methods of making the polypeptide are also provided. Controlled activation of the polypeptide is possible and the polypeptide can be incorporated into vaccines and toxin assays.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/174,896, filed on Jul. 17, 2008, pending, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/717,713, filed on Mar. 14, 2007,pending, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/241,596, filed Sep. 12, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,192,596, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/255,829,filed Feb. 23, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,461,617, which is acontinuation of International Application No. PCT/GB97/02273, filed Aug.22, 1997, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/782,893, filed Dec. 27, 1996, now abandoned. Each of theabove applications is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Pursuant to the provisions of 37 C.F.R. §1.52(e)(5), the sequencelisting text file named 69288_Seq_Listing.txt, created on Jan. 27, 2009and having a size of 1224803 bytes, and which is being submittedherewith, is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

This invention relates to recombinant toxin fragments, to DNA encodingthese fragments and to their uses such as in a vaccine and for in vitroand in vivo purposes.

The clostridial neurotoxins are potent inhibitors of calcium-dependentneurotransmitter secretion in neuronal cells. They are currentlyconsidered to mediate this activity through a specific endoproteolyticcleavage of at least one of three vesicle or pre-synaptic membraneassociated proteins VAMP, syntaxin or SNAP-25 which are central to thevesicle docking and membrane fusion events of neurotransmittersecretion. The neuronal cell targeting of tetanus and botulinumneurotoxins is considered to be a receptor mediated event followingwhich the toxins become internalised and subsequently traffic to theappropriate intracellular compartment where they effect theirendopeptidase activity.

The clostridial neurotoxins share a common architecture of a catalyticL-chain (LC, ca 50 kDa) disulphide linked to a receptor binding andtranslocating H-chain (HC, ca 100 kDa).

The HC polypeptide is considered to comprise all or part of two distinctfunctional domains. The carboxy-terminal half of the HC (ca 50 kDa),termed the H_(C) domain, is involved in the high affinity, neurospecificbinding of the neurotoxin to cell surface receptors on the targetneuron, whilst the amino-terminal half, termed the H_(N) domain (ca 50kDa), is considered to mediate the translocation of at least someportion of the neurotoxin across cellular membranes such that thefunctional activity of the LC is expressed within the target cell. TheH_(N) domain also has the property, under conditions of low pH, offorming ion-permeable channels in lipid membranes, this may in somemanner relate to its translocation function.

For botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) these domains are considered toreside within amino acid residues 872-1296 for the H_(C), amino acidresidues 449-871 for the H_(N) and residues 1-448 for the LC. Digestionwith trypsin effectively degrades the H_(C) domain of the BoNT/A togenerate a non-toxic fragment designated LH_(N), which is no longer ableto bind to and enter neurons (FIG. 1). The LH_(N) fragment so producedalso has the property of enhanced solubility compared to both the parentholotoxin and the isolated LC.

It is therefore possible to provide functional definitions of thedomains within the neurotoxin molecule, as follows:

(A) clostridial neurotoxin light chain:

-   -   a metalloprotease exhibiting high substrate specificity for        vesicle and/or plasma—membrane associated proteins involved in        the exocytotic process. In particular, it cleaves one or more of        SNAP-25, VAMP (synaptobrevin/cellubrevin) and syntaxin.        (B) clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain H_(N) domain:    -   a portion of the heavy chain which enables translocation of that        portion of the neurotoxin molecule such that a functional        expression of light chain activity occurs within a target cell.    -   the domain responsible for translocation of the endopeptidase        activity, following binding of neurotoxin to its specific cell        surface receptor via the binding domain, into the target cell.    -   the domain responsible for formation of ion-permeable pores in        lipid membranes under conditions of low pH.    -   the domain responsible for increasing the solubility of the        entire polypeptide compared to the solubility of light chain        alone.        (C) clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain H_(C) domain.    -   a portion of the heavy chain which is responsible for binding of        the native holotoxin to cell surface receptor(s) involved in the        intoxicating action of clostridial toxin prior to        internalisation of the toxin into the cell.

The identity of the cellular recognition markers for these toxins iscurrently not understood and no specific receptor species have yet beenidentified although Kozaki et al. have reported that synaptotagmin maybe the receptor for botulinum neurotoxin type B. It is probable thateach of the neurotoxins has a different receptor.

It is desirable to have positive controls for toxin assays, to developclostridial toxin vaccines and to develop therapeutic agentsincorporating desirable properties of clostridial toxin.

However, due to its extreme toxicity, the handling of native toxin ishazardous.

The present invention seeks to overcome or at least ameliorate problemsassociated with production and handling of clostridial toxin.

Accordingly, the invention provides a polypeptide comprising first andsecond domains, wherein said first domain is adapted to cleave one ormore vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential toneuronal exocytosis and wherein said second domain is adapted (i) totranslocate the polypeptide into the cell or (ii) to increase thesolubility of the polypeptide compared to the solubility of the firstdomain on its own or (iii) both to translocate the polypeptide into thecell and to increase the solubility of the polypeptide compared to thesolubility of the first domain on its own, said polypeptide being freeof clostridial neurotoxin and free of any clostridial neurotoxinprecursor that can be converted into toxin by proteolytic action.Accordingly, the invention may thus provide a single polypeptide chaincontaining a domain equivalent to a clostridial toxin light chain and adomain providing the functional aspects of the H_(N) of a clostridialtoxin heavy chain, whilst lacking the functional aspects of aclostridial toxin H_(C) domain.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a single chainpolypeptide comprising first and second domains, wherein:—

said first domain is a clostridial neurotoxin light chain or a fragmentor a variant thereof, wherein said first domain is capable of cleavingone or more vesicle or plasma membrane associated proteins essential toexocytosis; andsaid second domain is a clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain H_(N) portionor a fragment or a variant thereof, wherein said second domain iscapable of (i) translocating the polypeptide into a cell or (ii)increasing the solubility of the polypeptide compared to the solubilityof the first domain on its own or (iii) both translocating thepolypeptide into a cell and increasing the solubility of the polypeptidecompared to the solubility of the first domain on its own; and whereinthe second domain lacks a functional C-terminal part of a clostridialneurotoxin heavy chain designated H_(C) thereby rendering thepolypeptide incapable of binding to cell surface receptors that are thenatural cell surface receptors to which native clostridial neurotoxinbinds.

In the above preferred embodiment, the first domain is qualified by arequirement for the presence of a particular cleavage function. Saidcleavage function may be present when the light chain (L-chain)component is part of the single chain polypeptide molecule per se.Alternatively, the cleavage function may be substantially latent in thesingle chain polypeptide molecule, and may be activated by proteolyticcleavage of the single polypeptide between the first and second domainsto form, for example, a dichain polypeptide molecule comprising thefirst and second domains disulphide bonded together.

The first domain is based on a clostridial neurotoxin light chain(L-chain), and embraces both fragments and variants of said L-chain solong as these components possess the requisite cleavage function. Anexample of a variant is an L-chain (or fragment thereof) in which one ormore amino acid residues has been altered vis-a-vis a native clostridialL-chain sequence. In one embodiment, the modification may involve one ormore conservative amino acid substitutions. Other modifications mayinclude the removal or addition of one or more amino acid residuesvis-a-vis a native clostridial L-chain sequence. However, any suchfragment or variant must retain the aforementioned cleavage function.

The structure of clostridial neurotoxins was well known prior to thepresent invention—see, for example, Kurazono et al (1992) J. Biol.Chem., 267, 21, pp. 14721-14729. In particular, the Kurazono paperdescribes the minimum Domains required for cleavage activity (eg.proteolytic enzyme activity) of a clostridial neurotoxin L-chain.Similar discussion is provided by Poulain et al (1989) Eur. J. Biochem.,185, pp. 197-203, by Zhou et al (1995), 34, pp. 15175-15181, and byBlaustein et al (1987), 226, No. 1, pp. 115-120.

By way of exemplification, Table II on page 14726 of Kurazono et al.(1992) illustrates a number of L-chain deletion mutants (bothamino-terminal and carboxy-terminal L-chain deletion mutants areillustrated). Such mutants, together with other L-chain mutantscontaining, for example, similar amino acid deletions or conservativeamino acid substitutions are embraced by the first domain definition ofthe present invention provided that the L-chain component in questionhas the requisite cleavage activity.

Prior to the present application a number of conventional, simple assayswere available to allow a skilled person to routinely confirm whether agiven L-chain (or equivalent L-chain component) had the requisitecleavage activity. These assays are based on the inherent ability of afunctional L-chain to effect peptide cleavage of specific vesicle orplasma membrane associated proteins (eg. synaptobrevin, syntaxin, orSNAP-25) involved in neuronal exocytosis, and simply test for thepresence of the cleaved product/s of said proteolytic reaction.

For example, in a rough-and-ready assay, SNAP-25 (or synaptobrevin, orsyntaxin) may be challenged with a test L-chain (or equivalent L-chaincomponent), and then analysed by SDS-PAGE peptide separation techniques.Subsequent detection of peptides (eg. by silver staining) havingmolecular weights corresponding to the cleaved products of SNAP-25 (orother component of the neurosecretory machinery) would indicate thepresence of an L-chain (or equivalent L-chain component) possessing therequisite cleavage activity.

In an alternative assay, SNAP-25 (or a different neuronal exocytosismolecule) may be challenged with a test L-chain (or equivalent L-chaincomponent), and the cleavage products subjected to antibody detection asdescribed in PCT/GB95/01279 (ie. WO95/33850) in the name of the presentApplicant, Microbiological Research Authority. In more detail, aspecific antibody is employed for detecting the cleavage of SNAP-25,which antibody recognises cleaved SNAP-25 but not uncleaved SNAP-25.Identification of the cleaved product by the antibody confirms thepresence of an L-chain (or equivalent L-chain component) possessing therequisite cleavage activity. By way of exemplification, such a method isdescribed in Examples 2 and 3 of PCT/GB96/00916 (ie. WO96/33273), alsoin the name of Microbiological Research Authority.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second domain isqualified by the ability to provide one or both of two functions, namely(i) translocation and/or (ii) increased solubility of the first domain.

The second domain is based on a H_(N) portion of a clostridialneurotoxin, which portion has been extensively described andcharacterised in the literature. Particular mention is made to Kurazonoet al (1992) in which the structure of clostridial neurotoxin heavychains is discussed together with the functions associated with theH_(N) and H_(C) portions thereof [see, for example, the bottomillustration in FIG. 1 on page 14722 of Kurazono et al (1992)]. In moredetail, the H_(N) domain is a domain of a clostridial neurotoxin thatfunctions to translocate a clostridial L-chain across the endosomalmembrane of a vesicle, and is synonymous with the H₂ domain of aclostridial neurotoxin [see the bottom left-hand column and footer onpage 197 of Poulain, B. et al (1989); see FIG. 1 in Blaustein, R. et al(1987); and see also the sentence bridging pages 178 and 179 of Shone,C. et al (1987), Eur. J. Biochem., 167, pp. 175-180].

The second domain definition of the present invention includes fragmentsand variants of the H_(N) portion of a clostridial neurotoxin so long asthese components provide the requisite (I) translocation and/or (ii)improved solubility function. An example of a variant is an H_(N)portion (or fragment thereof) in which one or more amino acid residueshas been altered vis-a-vis a native clostridial H_(N) domain sequence.In one embodiment, the modification may involve one or more conservativeamino acid substitutions. Other modifications may include the removal oraddition of one or more amino acid residues vis-a-vis a nativeclostridial H_(N) sequence. However, any such fragment or variant mustprovide the aforementioned (i) translocation and/or (ii) improvedsolubility function.

The (i) translocation and (ii) improved solubility functions are nowdescribed in more detail.

Prior to the present application a number of conventional, simple assayswere available to allow a skilled person to routinely confirm whether aparticular clostridial neurotoxin H_(N) portion (or equivalent H_(N)component) had the requisite translocation function. In this respect,particular mention is made to the assays described in Shone et al.(1987) and Blaustein et al. (1987), which are now discussed.

These papers describe studies of the translocation function ofclostridial neurotoxins, and demonstrate that the ability of saidneurotoxins to form channels is associated with the presence of atranslocation function.

Shone et al. (1987) describes an assay employing artificial liposomesloaded with potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) and radiolabelled NAD.Thus, to confirm whether a test H_(N) portion (or equivalent H-chaincomponent) of a clostridial neurotoxin has the requisite translocationfunction, the artificial liposomes are challenged with the test H_(N)portion. The release of K⁺ and NAD from the liposomes is indicative of achannel-forming activity, and thus the presence of a translocationfunction.

An alternative assay is described by Blaustein et al. (1987), whereinplanar phospholipid bilayer membranes are used to test forchannel-forming activity. Salt solutions on either side of the membraneare buffered at different pH—on the cis side, pH 4.7 or 5.5 and on thetrans side, pH 7.4. Thus, to confirm whether a H_(N) portion (orequivalent H-chain component) of a clostridial neurotoxin has therequisite translocation function, the test H_(N) portion is added to thecis side of the membrane and electrical measurements made under voltageclamp conditions, in order to monitor the flow of current across themembrane (see paragraph 2.2 on pages 116-118). The presence of a desiredtranslocation activity is confirmed by a steady rate of channel turn-on(see paragraph 3 on page 118).

Turning now to the second heavy chain function, namely (ii) increasedsolubility of the first domain. A conventional problem associated withthe preparation of a clostridial neurotoxin L-chain molecules is thatsaid L-chain molecules generally possess poor solubilitycharacteristics. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, thefusion of a second domain (based on a H_(N) portion of a clostridialneurotoxin) to the L-chain increases the solubility of the L-chain.Similarly, the addition of a second domain to a L-chain equivalentmolecule (eg. a fragment, or variant of a L-chain) increases thesolubility of the L-chain equivalent molecule.

Prior to the present application a number of conventional, simple assayswere available to allow a skilled person to routinely confirm whether aparticular clostridial neurotoxin H_(N) portion (or equivalent H_(N)component) had the requisite ability to increase the solubility of aL-chain (or equivalent L-chain component). The most common method toassess solubility is through use of centrifugation, followed by a rangeof protein determination methods. For example, lysed E. coli cellscontaining expressed clostridial endopeptidase are centrifuged at25,000×g for 15 minutes to pellet cell debris and aggregated proteinmaterial. Following removal of the supernatant (containing solubleprotein) the cell debris can be reconstituted in SDS-containing samplebuffer (to solubilise the poorly soluble protein), prior to analysis ofthe two fractions by SDS-PAGE. Coomassie blue staining ofelectrophoresed protein, followed by densitometric analysis of therelevant protein band, facilitates a semi-quantitative analysis ofsolubility of expressed protein.

A further requirement of the single polypeptide molecule according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention is that the second domainlacks a functional C-terminal part of a clostridial neurotoxin heavychain designated H_(C), thereby rendering the polypeptide incapable ofbinding to cell surface receptors that are the natural cell surfacereceptors to which a native clostridial neurotoxin binds. Thisrequirement is now discussed in more detail, and reference to incapableof binding throughout the present specification is to be interpreted assubstantially incapable of binding, or reduced in binding ability whencompared with native clostridial neurotoxin.

It has been well documented, for example in the above-describedliterature and elsewhere, that native clostridial neurotoxin binds tospecific target cells through a binding interaction that involves theH_(C) domain of the toxin heavy chain and a specific receptor on thetarget cell.

However, in contrast to native neurotoxin, the single polypeptidemolecules according to a preferred embodiment of the present inventionlack a functional H_(C) domain of native clostridial neurotoxin. Thus,the preferred single polypeptide molecules of the present invention arenot capable of binding to the specific receptors targeted by nativeclostridial neurotoxin.

Prior to the present application a number of conventional, simple assayswere available to allow a skilled person to routinely confirm whether aparticular clostridial neurotoxin H_(N) portion (or equivalent H_(N)component) lacked the binding ability of native clostridial neurotoxin.In this respect, particular mention is made to the assays described byShone et al. (1985) Eur. J. Biochem., 151 (1), pp. 75-82, and by Black &Dolly (1986) J. Cell. Biol., 103, pp. 521-534. The basic Shone et al(1985) method has been recently repeated in Sutton et al (2001), 493,pp. 45-49 to assess the binding ability of tetanus toxins.

These papers describe simple methods for assessing binding of theH-chain of a clostridial neurotoxin to its target cells, motor neurons.Hence, these methods provide a means for routinely determining whether amodification to the H-chain results in a loss of or reduced nativebinding affinity of the H-chain for motor neurons. The methods are nowdiscussed in more detail.

The Shone et al (1985) method is based on a competitive binding assay inwhich test neurotoxin H-chain fragments are compared with radiolabellednative neurotoxin in their ability to bind to purified ratcerebrocortical synaptosomes (ie. native toxin target cells). Areduction of H_(C) function (ie. binding ability) is demonstrated by areduced ability of the test H-chain fragments to compete with thelabelled intact toxin for binding to the synaptosomes (see page 76,column 1 to line 51-column 2, line 5).

Sutton et al. (2001) carried out similar competitive binding experimentsusing radiolabelled intact tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT) and unlabelledsite-directed (TeNT) mutants. As above, a positive result in the assayis demonstrated by an inability of the mutant fragments to compete withthe labelled TeNT for binding to synaptosomes.

An alternative approach is described by Black & Dolly (1986), whichmethod employed electron microscopic autoradiography to visually assessbinding of radiolabelled clostridial neurotoxins at the vertebrateneuromuscular junction, both in vivo and in vitro. Thus, this assayrepresents a simple visual method for confirming whether a test H_(N)domain (or equivalent H_(N) component) lacks a functional H_(C) domain.

There are numerous ways by which a second domain that lacks a functionalH_(C) domain may be prepared. In this respect, inactivation of the H_(C)domain may be achieved at the amino acid level (eg. by use of aderivatising chemical, or a proteolytic enzyme), or at the nucleic acidlevel (eg. by use of site-directed mutagenesis, nucleotide/s insertionor deletion or modification, or by use of truncated nucleic acid).

For example, it would be routine for a skilled person to select aconventional derivatising chemical or proteolytic agent suitable forremoval or modification of the H_(C) domain. Standard derivatisingchemicals and proteolytic agents are readily available in the art, andit would be routine for a skilled person to confirm that saidchemicals/agents provide an H_(N) domain with reduced or removed nativebinding affinity by following any one of a number of simple tests suchas those described above.

Conventional derivatising chemicals may include any one of thefollowing, which form a non-exhaustive list of examples:—

-   -   (1) tyrosine derivatising chemicals such as anhydrides, more        specifically maleic anhydride;    -   (2) diazonium based derivatising chemicals such as        bis-Diazotized o-Tolidine, and diazotized p-aminobenzoyl        biocytin;    -   (3) EDC (1-ethyl 1-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide        hydrochloride);    -   (4) isocyanate based derivatising chemicals such as dual        treatment with tetranitromethane followed by sodium dithionite;        and    -   (5) iodinating derivatising chemicals such as chloramine-T        (N-chlorotoluene sulfonamide) or IODO-GEN        (1,3,4,6-tetrachloro-3a,ba-diphenylglycouril).

Conventional proteolytic agents may include any one of the following,which form a non-exhaustive list of examples:—

-   -   (1) trypsin [as demonstrated in Shone et al (1985)];    -   (2) proline endopeptidase    -   (3) lys C proteinase;    -   (4) chymotrypsin;    -   (5) thermolysin; and    -   (6) arg C proteinase.

Alternatively, conventional nucleic acid mutagenesis methods may beemployed to generate modified nucleic acid sequences that encode seconddomains lacking a functional H_(C) domain. For example, mutagenesismethods such as those described in Kurazono et al (1992) may beemployed. A range of systems for mutagenesis of DNA are available, basedon the DNA manipulation techniques described by:—Kunkel T. (1985) Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82, pp. 488-492; Taylor, J. W. et al.

-   -   (1985) Nucleic Acids Res. 13, pp. 8749-8764 (1995); and Deng G.        & Nickeloff J. A. (1992) Anal. Biochem., 200, pp. 81-88.

According to all general aspects of the present invention, a polypeptideof the invention can be soluble but lack the translocation function of anative toxin-this is of use in providing an immunogen for vaccinating orassisting to vaccinate an individual against challenge by toxin. In aspecific embodiment of the invention described in an example below apolypeptide designated LH₄₂₃/A elicited neutralising antibodies againsttype A neurotoxin. A polypeptide of the invention can likewise thus berelatively insoluble but retain the translocation function of a nativetoxin—this is of use if solubility is imparted to a composition made upof that polypeptide and one or more other components by one or more ofsaid other components.

The first domain of the polypeptide of the invention cleaves one or morevesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to the specificcellular process of exocytosis, and cleavage of these proteins resultsin inhibition of exocytosis, typically in a non-cytotoxic manner. Thecell or cells affected are not restricted to a particular type orsubgroup but can include both neuronal and non-neuronal cells. Theactivity of clostridial neurotoxins in inhibiting exocytosis has,indeed, been observed almost universally in eukaryotic cells expressinga relevant cell surface receptor, including such diverse cells as fromAplysia (sea slug), Drosophila (fruit fly) and mammalian nerve cells,and the activity of the first domain is to be understood as including acorresponding range of cells.

The polypeptide of the invention may be obtained by expression of arecombinant nucleic acid, preferably a DNA, and is a single polypeptide,that is to say not cleaved into separate light and heavy chain domains.The polypeptide is thus available in convenient and large quantitiesusing recombinant techniques.

In a polypeptide according to the invention, said first domainpreferably comprises a clostridial toxin light chain or a fragment orvariant of a clostridial toxin light chain. The fragment is optionallyan N-terminal, or C-terminal fragment of the light chain, or is aninternal fragment, so long as it substantially retains the ability tocleave the vesicle or plasma-membrane associated protein essential toexocytosis. The minimal domains necessary for the activity of the lightchain of clostridial toxins are described in J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 267,No. 21, July 1992, pages 14721-14729. The variant has a differentpeptide sequence from the light chain or from the fragment, though ittoo is capable of cleaving the vesicle or plasma-membrane associatedprotein. It is conveniently obtained by insertion, deletion and/orsubstitution of a light chain or fragment thereof. In embodiments of theinvention described below a variant sequence comprises (i) an N-terminalextension to a clostridial toxin light chain or fragment (ii) aclostridial toxin light chain or fragment modified by alteration of atleast one amino acid (iii) a C-terminal extension to a clostridial toxinlight chain orfragment, or (iv) combinations of 2 or more of (i)-(iii).

The first domain preferably exhibits endopeptidase activity specific fora substrate selected from one or more of SNAP-25, synaptobrevin/VAMP andsyntaxin. The clostridial toxin is preferably botulinum toxin or tetanustoxin.

In one embodiment of the invention described in an example below, thetoxin light chain and the portion of the toxin heavy chain are ofbotulinum toxin type A. In a further embodiment of the inventiondescribed in an example below, the toxin light chain and the portion ofthe toxin heavy chain are of botulinum toxin type B. The polypeptideoptionally comprises a light chain or fragment or variant of one toxintype and a heavy chain or fragment or variant of another toxin type.

In a polypeptide according to the invention said second domainpreferably comprises a clostridial toxin heavy chain H_(N) portion or afragment or variant of a clostridial toxin heavy chain H_(N) portion.The fragment is optionally an N-terminal or C-terminal or internalfragment, so long as it retains the function of the H_(N) domain.Teachings of regions within the H_(N) responsible for its function areprovided for example in Biochemistry 1995, 34, pages 15175-15181 andEur. J. Biochem, 1989, 185, pages 197-203. The variant has a differentsequence from the H_(N) domain or fragment, though it too retains thefunction of the H_(N) domain. It is conveniently obtained by insertion,deletion and/or substitution of a H_(N) domain or fragment thereof. Inembodiments of the invention, described below, it comprises (i) anN-terminal extension to a H_(N) domain or fragment, (ii) a C-terminalextension to a H_(N) domain or fragment, (iii) a modification to a H_(N)domain or fragment by alteration of at least one amino acid, or (iv)combinations of 2 or more of (i)-(iii). The clostridial toxin ispreferably botulinum toxin or tetanus toxin.

The invention also provides a polypeptide comprising a clostridialneurotoxin light chain and a N-terminal fragment of a clostridialneurotoxin heavy chain, the fragment preferably comprising at least 423of the N-terminal amino acids of the heavy chain of botulinum toxin typeA, 417 of the N-terminal amino acids of the heavy chain of botulinumtoxin type B or the equivalent number of N-terminal amino acids of theheavy chain of other types of clostridial toxin such that the fragmentpossesses an equivalent alignment of homologous amino acid residues.

These polypeptides of the invention are thus not composed of two or morepolypeptides, linked for example by di-sulphide bridges into compositemolecules. Instead, these polypeptides are single chains and are notactive or their activity is significantly reduced in an in vitro assayof neurotoxin endopeptidase activity.

Further, the polypeptides may be susceptible to be converted into a formexhibiting endopeptidase activity by the action of a proteolytic agent,such as trypsin. In this way it is possible to control the endopeptidaseactivity of the toxin light chain.

In further embodiments of the invention, the polypeptide contains anamino acid sequence modified so that (a) there is no protease sensitiveregion between the LC and H_(N) components of the polypeptide, or (b)the protease sensitive region is specific for a particular protease.This latter embodiment is of use if it is desired to activate theendopeptidase activity of the light chain in a particular environment orcell. Though, in general, the polypeptides of the invention areactivated prior to administration.

More generally, a proteolytic cleavage site may be introduced betweenany two domains of the single chain polypeptide molecule.

For example, a cleavage site may be introduced between the first andsecond domains such that cleavage thereof converts the single chainpolypeptide molecule into a dichain polypeptide structure wherein thefirst and second domains are linked together by a disulphide bond.Specific Examples of such molecules are provided by SEQ IDs 11-18 of thepresent application in which an Factor Xa cleavage site has beenintroduced between the first domain (L-chain) and the second domain(H_(N)).

A range of peptide sequences having inherent cleavage sites areavailable for insertion into the junction between one or more domains ofa polypeptide according to the present invention. For example, insertionof a cleavage site between the first (L-chain) and second (H_(N))domains may result in a single polypeptide chain molecule that isproteolytically cleavable to form a dichain polypeptide in which thefirst and second domains are held together by a disulphide bond betweenthe first and second domains. The proteolytic cleavage may be performedin vitro prior to use, or in vivo by cell specific activation throughintracellular proteolytic action.

Alternatively (or additionally), a cleavage site may be introducedbetween the second and third domains, or between the purification tagand the polypeptide of the present invention. The third domain andpurification tag aspects of the present invention are discussed in moredetail below.

To facilitate convenient insertion of a range of cleavage sites into thejunction between the LC and H_(N) domains, it is preferable to preparean expression clone that can serve as a template for future clonedevelopment. Such a template is represented by SEQ ID 103, in which theDNA encoding LH_(N)/B has been modified by standard mutagenesistechniques to incorporate unique restriction enzyme sites. Toincorporate new cleavage sites at the junction requires simple insertionof novel oligonucleotides encoding the new cleavage site.

Suitable cleavage sites include, but are not limited to, those describedin Table 1.

TABLE 1 Cleavage site (eg. between the first and second domains forLH_(N) activation) Amino acid sequence of Protease recognition site SEQID exemplification Factor Xa I-E/D-G-R

71/72, 33/34, 55/56, 57/58, 115/116, 117/118, 119/120, 121/122Enterokinase D-D-D-D-K

69/70, 31/32, 29/30, 43/44, 45/46, 113/114, 111/112, 59/60, 61/62,63/64, 65/66, 79/80, 81/82, 83-98, 105/106, 107/108 PrecissionL-E-V-L-F-Q

 G-P 75/76, 35/36, 51/52, 53/54 Thrombin L-V-P-R

 G-S 77/78, 37/38, 47/48, 49/50, 99/100 Genenase H-Y

 or Y

 -H TEV E-N-L-Y-F-Q

 G 101/102 Furin R-X-X-R

, preferred R-X-K/R-R

(wherein X = any amino acid)

In some cases, the use of certain cleavage sites and correspondingproteolytic enzymes (eg. precision, thrombin) will leave a shortN-terminal extension on the polypeptide at a position C-terminal to thecleavage site (see the

cleavage pattern for the exemplified proteases in Table 1).

Peptide sequences may be introduced between any two domains tofacilitate specific cleavage of the domains at a later stage. Thisapproach is commonly used in proprietary expression systems for cleavageand release of a purification tag (eg. maltose-binding protein (MBP),glutathione S-transferase (GST), polyhistidine tract (His6)) from afusion protein that includes the purification tag. In this respect, thepurification tag is preferably fused to the N- or C-terminus of thepolypeptide in question.

The choice of cleavage site may have a bearing on the precise nature ofthe N-terminus (or C-terminus) of the released polypeptide. Toillustrate this, identical LH_(N)/B fragments produced in suchproprietary systems are described in SEQ ID 88, 94, 96, 98, in which theN-terminal extensions to the LH_(N)/B sequence are ISEFGS, GS, SPGARGS &AMADIGS respectively. In the case of LH_(N)/C fragments, SEQ ID 126, 128& 130 describe the N-terminal sequences VPEFGSSRVDH, ISEFGSSRVDH andVPEFGSSRVDH following release of the LH_(N)/C fragment from its fusiontag by enterokinase, genenase and Factor Xa respectively. Each of theseextension peptide sequences is an example of a variant L-chain sequenceof the present invention. Similarly, if the purification tag were to befused to the C-terminal end of the second domain, the resulting cleavedpolypeptide (ie. fusion protein minus purification tag) would includeC-terminal extension amino acids. Each of these extension peptidesprovides an example of a variant H_(N) portion of the present invention.

In some cases, cleavage at a specific site, for example, between apurification tag and a polypeptide of the present invention may be oflower efficiency than desired. To address this potential problem, thepresent Applicant has modified proprietary vectors in two particularways, which modifications may be employed individually or in combinationwith each other. Whilst said modifications may be applied to cleavagesites between any two domains in a polypeptide or fusion proteinaccording to the present invention, the following discussion simplyillustrates a purification tag-first domain cleavage event.

First, the DNA is modified to include an additional peptide spacersequence, which optionally may represent one or more additional cleavagesites, at the junction of the purification tag and the polypeptide.Examples of the full-length expressed polypeptide from this approach arepresented in SEQ ID 86, 90 & 92. Such an approach has resulted inefficient cleavage and release of the polypeptide of interest. Dependingon the presence and nature of any intra-polypeptide cleavage sites (eg.between the first and second domains), cleavage of the purification tagfrom the fusion protein may occur simultaneously to proteolytic cleavagebetween the first and second domains. Alternatively, release of thepurification tag may occur without proteolytic cleavage between thefirst and second domains. These two cleavage schemes are illustrated inFIG. 14.

Depending on the cleavage enzyme chosen, this strategy may result in ashort amino acid extension to the N-terminus (or C-terminus) of thepolypeptide. For example, in the case of SEQ ID 92, cleavage of theexpressed product with enterokinase results in two polypeptides coupledby a single disulphide bond at the first domain-second domain junction(ie. the L chain-H_(N) junction), with a short N-terminal peptideextension that resembles an intact Factor Xa site and a short N-terminalextension due to polylinker sequence (IEGRISEFGS).

Secondly, the DNA encoding a self-splicing intein sequence may beemployed, which intein may be induced to self-splice under pH and/ortemperature control. The intein sequence (represented in SEQ ID 110 asthe polypeptide sequenceISEFRESGAISGDSLISLASTGKRVSIKDLLDEKDFEIWAINEQTMKLESAKVSRVFCTGKKLVYILKTRLGRTIKATANHRFLTIDGWKRLDELSLKEHIALPRKLESSSLQLSPEIEKLSQSDIYWDSIVSITETGVEEVFDLTVPGPHNFVANDIIVHN) facilitates self-cleavage ofthe illustrated polypeptide (ie. purification tag-LH_(N)/B) to yield asingle polypeptide molecule with no purification tag. This process doesnot therefore require treatment of the initial expression product withproteases, and the resultant polypeptide (ie. L-chain—Factor Xaactivation site—H_(N)) is simply illustrative of how this approach maybe applied.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, which is describedin an example below, there is provided a polypeptide lacking a portiondesignated H_(C) of a clostridial toxin heavy chain. This portion, seenin the naturally produced toxin, is responsible for binding of toxin tocell surface receptors prior to internalisation of the toxin. Thisspecific embodiment is therefore adapted so that it can not be convertedinto active toxin, for example by the action of a proteolytic enzyme.The invention thus also provides a polypeptide comprising a clostridialtoxin light chain and a fragment of a clostridial toxin heavy chain,said fragment being not capable of binding to those cell surfacereceptors involved in the intoxicating action of clostridial toxin, andit is preferred that such a polypeptide lacks an intact portiondesignated H_(C) of a clostridial toxin heavy chain.

In further embodiments of the invention there are provided compositionscontaining a polypeptide comprising a clostridial toxin light chain anda portion designated H_(N) of a clostridial toxin heavy chain, andwherein the composition is free of clostridial toxin and free of anyclostridial toxin precursor that may be converted into clostridial toxinby the action of a proteolytic enzyme. Examples of these compositionsinclude those containing toxin light chain and H_(N) sequences ofbotulinum toxin types A, B, C₁, D, E, F and G.

The polypeptides of the invention are conveniently adapted to bind to,or include, a third domain (eg. a ligand for targeting to desiredcells). The polypeptide optionally comprises a sequence that binds to,for example, an immunoglobulin. A suitable sequence is a tandem repeatsynthetic IgG binding domain derived from domain B of Staphylococcalprotein A. Choice of immunoglobulin specificity then determines thetarget for a polypeptide—immunoglobulin complex. Alternatively, thepolypeptide comprises a non-clostridial sequence that binds to a cellsurface receptor, suitable sequences including insulin-like growthfactor-1 (IGF-1) which binds to its specific receptor on particular celltypes and the 14 amino acid residue sequence from the carboxy-terminusof cholera toxin A subunit which is able to bind the cholera toxin Bsubunit and thence to GM1 gangliosides. A polypeptide according to theinvention thus, optionally, further comprises a third domain adapted forbinding of the polypeptide to a cell.

According to a second aspect the invention there is provided a fusionprotein comprising a fusion of (a) a polypeptide of the invention asdescribed above with (b) a second polypeptide (also known as apurification tag) adapted for binding to a chromatography matrix so asto enable purification of the fusion protein using said chromatographymatrix. It is convenient for the second polypeptide to be adapted tobind to an affinity matrix, such as a glutathione Sepharose, enablingrapid separation and purification of the fusion protein from an impuresource, such as a cell extract or supernatant.

One possible second purification polypeptide isglutathione-S-transferase (GST), and others will be apparent to a personof skill in the art, being chosen so as to enable purification on achromatography column according to conventional techniques.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, spacersequences may be introduced between two or more domains of the singlechain polypeptide molecule. For example, a spacer sequence may beintroduced between the second and third domains of a polypeptidemolecule of the present invention. Alternatively (or in addition), aspacer sequence may be introduced between a purification tag and thepolypeptide of the present invention or between the first and seconddomains. A spacer sequence may include a proteolytic cleavage site.

In more detail, insertion of a specific peptide sequence into the seconddomain-third domain junction may been performed with the purpose ofspacing the third domain (eg. ligand) from the second domain (eg.H_(N)). This approach may facilitate efficient interaction of the thirddomain with the specific binding target and/or improve the foldingcharacteristics of the polypeptide. Example spacer peptides are providedin Table 2.

TABLE 2 spacer sequences Sequence Illustrated in SEQ ID No (GGGGS)₃39/40, 43/44, 49/50, 53/54, 57/58 RNAse A loop 138/139 Helical 41/42,45/46, 47/48, 51/52, 55/56 Att sites 133 (TSLYKKAGFGS or DPAFLYKV)

In a preferred embodiment, a spacer sequence may be introduced betweenthe first and second domains. For example, a variety of first domain(eg. L-chain) expression constructs have been prepared that incorporatefeatures that are advantageous to the preparation of novel singlepolypeptide hybrid first domain-second domain fusions. Such expressioncassettes are illustrated by SEQ ID NO 69, 71, 73, 75, 77 & 113.

The above cassettes take advantage of a natural linker sequence thatexists in the region between the C-terminus of the L-chain and theN-terminus of the H_(N) domain of a native clostridial neurotoxin. Inmore detail, there is a cysteine at each end of the natural linkersequence that serve to couple the L-chain and H_(N) domain togetherfollowing proteolytic cleavage of the single chain polypeptide moleculeinto its dichain counterpart. These cysteine groups are preserved in theabove-mentioned cassettes. Thus, by maintaining the cysteine amino acidsat either end of the linker sequence, and optionally incorporating aspecific proteolytic site to replace the native sequence, a variety ofconstructs have been prepared that have the property of beingspecifically cleavable between the first and second domains.

For example, by fusing a sequence of interest, such as H_(N)/B to thesequence described in SEQ ID 69, it is possible to routinely prepareL-chain/A-H_(N)/B novel hybrids that are linked through a specificlinker region that facilitates disulphide bond formation. Thus, theexpressed fusion proteins are suitable for proteolytic cleavage betweenthe first (L-chain) and second (H_(N)) domains. The same linkers,optionally including said cleavage site, may be used to link togetherother domains of the polypeptide or fusion protein of the presentinvention.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, molecular clamps maybe used to clamp together two or more domains of the polypeptides orfusion proteins of the present invention. Molecular clamps may beconsidered a particular sub-set of the aforementioned spacer sequences.

In more detail, molecular clamping (also known as directed coupling) isa method for joining together two or more polypeptide domains throughthe use of specific complementary peptide sequences that facilitatenon-covalent protein-protein interactions.

Examples of such peptide sequences include leucine zippers (jun & fos),polyionic peptides (eg. poly-glutamate and its poly-arginine pair) andthe synthetic IgG binding domain of Staphylococcal protein A.

Polypeptides comprising first and second domains (eg. LH_(N)) have beenprepared with molecular clamping sequences fused to the C-terminus ofthe second (eg. H_(N)) domain through two methods.

First, DNA encoding the molecular clamp has been ligated directly to theDNA encoding an LH_(N) polypeptide, after removing the STOP codonpresent in the LH_(N) coding sequence. By insertion, to the 3′ of theLH_(N) sequence, of overlapping oligonucleotides encoding the clampsequence and a 3′ STOP codon, an expression cassette has been generated.An example of such a sequence is presented in SEQ ID 63 in which the DNAsequence coding for the molecular clamp known as fos(LTDTLQAETDQLEDEKSALQTEIANLLKEKEKLEFILAAH) has been introduced to the 3′of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a LH_(N)/A polypeptide, whichmolecule also has a nucleic acid sequence encoding an enterokinasecleavage site between the coding regions of the first domain (L-chain)and the second domain (H_(N)).

Secondly, site-specific recombination has been utilised to incorporate aclamp sequence to the 3′ of a LH_(N) polypeptide (see, for example, theGATEWAY system described below) spaced from the H_(N) domain by theshort peptide Gly-Gly. Use of this peptide to space clamp sequences fromthe C-terminus of H_(N) is illustrated in SEQ 117/118.

In some embodiments, it may be preferable to incorporate cysteine sidechains into the clamp peptide to facilitate formation of disulphidebonds across the clamp, and so make a covalent linkage between the, forexample, second domain (H_(N)) and a third domain (eg. a ligand).Incorporation of the cysteine codon into the clamp sequence has beenperformed by standard techniques, to result in sequences of the typerepresented by SEQ ID 59/60, 61/62, 117/118 and 119/120.

A schematic for the application of molecular clamping to the preparationof suitable LH_(N) polypeptides is illustrated in FIG. 15.

A further alternative for expression of a full-length polypeptidecontaining first and second domains that is suitable for site-specificcoupling to a third domain (eg. a ligand) is to incorporate an inteinself-cleaving sequence into the 3′ of the second domain (eg. H_(N)). SEQID 67/68 illustrates one such construct, in which LH_(N)/A having anenterokinase cleavage site between the first (eg. L-chain) and second(eg. H_(N)) domains is expressed with a Cys residue at the C-terminus,followed by the intein sequence. Following self-cleavage, a reactivethioester is then formed that can take part in a directed couplingreaction to a third domain, for example, as described by Bruick et al,Chem. Biol. (1996), pp. 49-56. Such a polypeptide facilitatessite-specific chemical coupling to third domains (eg. ligands ofinterest) without the problems associated with random derivatisation andrandom coupling which may otherwise result in a heterogenous finalproduct.

As will be appreciated by a skilled person from the entire disclosure ofthe present application, first and second domains may employ L-chain andH-chain components from any clostridial neurotoxin source. Whilstbotulinum sources may be preferred, tetanus sources have equalapplicability. In this respect, the whole sequence of tetanus neurotoxin(TeNT) as published prior to the present application by Eisel, U. et al(1986) EMBO J. 5 (10), pp. 2495-2502, and Accession No. X04436 isincluded in the present application as SEQ ID 140/141 for ease ofreference.

To help illustrate this point, several TeNT based polypeptides have beenprepared according to the present invention, and reference is made toSEQ ID 143 which is an LH_(N) polypeptide having a C-terminal sequenceof EEDIDV₈₇₉. Reference is also made to SEQ ID 147 which is an LH_(N)polypeptide having a C-terminal sequence of EEDIDVILKKSTIL₈₈₇. Both ofthese LH_(N) sequences are representative of ‘native’ TeNT LH_(N)sequences, which have no introduced specific cleavage site between theL-chain and the H_(N) domain. Thus, SEQ ID 145 illustrates a TeNTpolypeptide according to the present invention in which the natural TeNTlinker region between the L-chain and the H_(N) domain has been replacedwith a polypeptide containing a specific enterokinase cleavage sequence.

It will be also appreciated that the general approaches described in thepresent specification for introducing specific cleavage sites andspacer/clamping sequences between any two domains (eg. the L-chain andthe H_(N) domain, or the L-chain and a purification tag) are routinelyapplicable to the preparation of TeNT-containing polypeptide moleculesaccording to the present invention.

A third aspect of the invention provides a composition comprising aderivative of a clostridial toxin, said derivative retaining at least10% of the endopeptidase activity of the clostridial toxin, saidderivative further being non-toxic in vivo due to its inability to bindto cell surface receptors, and wherein the composition is free of anycomponent, such as toxin or a further toxin derivative, that is toxic invivo. The activity of the derivative preferably approaches that ofnatural toxin, and is thus preferably at least 30% and most preferablyat least 60% of natural toxin. The overall endopeptidase activity of thecomposition will, of course, also be determined by the amount of thederivative that is present.

While it is known to treat naturally produced clostridial toxin toremove the H_(C) domain, this treatment does not totally remove toxicityof the preparation, instead some residual toxin activity remains.Natural toxin treated in this way is therefore still not entirely safe.The composition of the invention, derived by treatment of a pure sourceof polypeptide advantageously is free of toxicity, and can convenientlybe used as a positive control in a toxin assay, as a vaccine againstclostridial toxin or for other purposes where it is essential that thereis no residual toxicity in the composition.

The invention enables production of the polypeptides and fusion proteinsof the invention by recombinant means.

A fourth aspect of the invention provides a nucleic acid encoding apolypeptide or a fusion protein according to any of the aspects of theinvention described above.

In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a DNA sequenceprovided to code for the polypeptide or fusion protein is not derivedfrom native clostridial sequences, but is an artificially derivedsequence not preexisting in nature.

A specific DNA (SEQ ID NO: 1) described in more detail below encodes apolypeptide or a fusion protein comprising nucleotides encoding residues1-871 of a botulinum toxin type A. Said polypeptide comprises the lightchain domain and the first 423 amino acid residues of the amino terminalportion of a botulinum toxin type A heavy chain. This recombinantproduct is designated LH₄₂₃/A (SEQ ID NO: 2).

In a second embodiment of this aspect of the invention a DNA sequencewhich codes for the polypeptide or fusion protein is derived from nativeclostridial sequences but codes for a polypeptide or fusion protein notfound in nature.

A specific DNA (SEQ ID NO: 19) described in more detail below encodes apolypeptide or a fusion protein and comprises nucleotides encodingresidues 1-1171 of a botulinum toxin type B. Said polypeptide comprisesthe light chain domain and the first 728 amino acid residues of theamino terminal protein of a botulinum type B heavy chain. Thisrecombinant product is designated LH₇₂₈/B (SEQ ID NO: 20).

The invention thus also provides a method of manufacture of apolypeptide comprising expressing in a host cell a DNA according to thethird aspect of the invention. The host cell is suitably not able tocleave a polypeptide or fusion protein of the invention so as toseparate light and heavy toxin chains; for example, a non-clostridialhost.

The invention further provides a method of manufacture of a polypeptidecomprising expressing in a host cell a DNA encoding a fusion protein asdescribed above, purifying the fusion protein by elution through achromatography column adapted to retain the fusion protein, elutingthrough said chromatography column a ligand adapted to displace thefusion protein and recovering the fusion protein. Production ofsubstantially pure fusion protein is thus made possible. Likewise, thefusion protein is readily cleaved to yield a polypeptide of theinvention, again in substantially pure form, as the second polypeptidemay conveniently be removed using the same type of chromatographycolumn.

The LH_(N)/A derived from dichain native toxin requires extendeddigestion with trypsin to remove the C-terminal ½ of the heavy chain,the H_(C) domain. The loss of this domain effectively renders the toxininactive in vivo by preventing its interaction with host target cells.There is, however, a residual toxic activity which may indicate acontaminating, trypsin insensitive, form of the whole type A neurotoxin.

In contrast, the recombinant preparations of the invention are theproduct of a discreet, defined gene coding sequence and can not becontaminated by full length toxin protein. Furthermore, the product asrecovered from E. coli, and from other recombinant expression hosts, isan inactive single chain peptide or if expression hosts produce aprocessed, active polypeptide it is not a toxin. Endopeptidase activityof LH₄₂₃/A, as assessed by the current in vitro peptide cleavage assay,is wholly dependent on activation of the recombinant molecule betweenresidues 430 and 454 by trypsin. Other proteolytic enzymes that cleavebetween these two residues are generally also suitable for activation ofthe recombinant molecule. Trypsin cleaves the peptide bond C-terminal toArginine or C-terminal to Lysine and is suitable as these residues arefound in the 430-454 region and are exposed (see FIG. 12).

The recombinant polypeptides of the invention are potential therapeuticagents for targeting to cells expressing the relevant substrate butwhich are not implicated in effecting botulism. An example might bewhere secretion of neurotransmitter is inappropriate or undesirable oralternatively where a neuronal cell is hyperactive in terms of regulatedsecretion of substances other than neurotransmitter. In such an examplethe function of the H_(C) domain of the native toxin could be replacedby an alternative targeting sequence providing, for example, a cellreceptor ligand and/or translocation domain.

One application of the recombinant polypeptides of the invention will beas a reagent component for synthesis of therapeutic molecules, such asdisclosed in WO-A-94/21300. The recombinant product will also findapplication as a non-toxic standard for the assessment and developmentof in vitro assays for detection of functional botulinum or tetanusneurotoxins either in foodstuffs or in environmental samples, forexample as disclosed in EP-A-0763131.

A further option is addition, to the C-terminal end of a polypeptide ofthe invention, of a peptide sequence which allows specific chemicalconjugation to targeting ligands of both protein and non-protein origin.

In yet a further embodiment an alternative targeting ligand is added tothe N-terminus of polypeptides of the invention. Recombinant LH_(N)derivatives have been designated that have specific protease cleavagesites engineered at the C-terminus of the LC at the putative trypsinsensitive region and also at the extreme C-terminus of the completeprotein product. These sites will enhance the activational specificityof the recombinant product such that the dichain species can only beactivated by proteolytic cleavage of a more predictable nature than useof trypsin.

The LH_(N) enzymatically produced from native BoNT/A is an efficientimmunogen and thus the recombinant form with its total divorce from anyfull length neurotoxin represents a vaccine component. The recombinantproduct may serve as a basal reagent for creating defined proteinmodifications in support of any of the above areas.

Recombinant constructs are assigned distinguishing names on the basis oftheir amino acid sequence length and their Light Chain (L-chain, L) andHeavy Chain (H-chain, H) content as these relate to translated DNAsequences in the public domain or specifically to SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQID NO: 20. The ‘LH’ designation is followed by ‘/X’ where ‘X’ denotesthe corresponding clostridial toxin serotype or class, e.g. ‘A’ forbotulinum neurotoxin type A or ‘TeTx’ for tetanus toxin. Sequencevariants from that of the native toxin polypeptide are given inparenthesis in standard format, namely the residue position numberprefixed by the residue of the native sequence and suffixed by theresidue of the variant.

Subscript number prefixes indicate an amino-terminal (N-terminal)extension, or where negative a deletion, to the translated sequence.Similarly, subscript number suffixes indicate a carboxy terminal(C-terminal) extension or where negative numbers are used, a deletion.Specific sequence inserts such as protease cleavage sites are indicatedusing abbreviations, e.g. Factor Xa is abbreviated to FXa. L-chainC-terminal suffixes and H-chain N-terminal prefixes are separated bya/to indicate the predicted junction between the L and H-chains.Abbreviations for engineered ligand sequences are prefixed or suffixedto the clostridial L-chain or H-chain corresponding to their position inthe translation product.

Following this nomenclature,

LH₄₂₃/A = SEQ ID NO: 2, containing the entire L-chain and 423 aminoacids of the H-chain of botulinum neurotoxin type A; ₂LH₄₂₃/A = avariant of this molecule, containing a two amino acid extension to theN-terminus of the L-chain; ₂L_(/2)H₄₂₃/ a further variant in which themolecule contains a two A = amino acid extension on the N-terminus ofboth the L-chain and the H-chain; ₂L_(FXa/2)H₄₂₃/ a further variantcontaining a two amino acid extension to A = the N-terminus of theL-chain, and a Factor Xa cleavage sequence at the C-terminus of theL-chain which, after cleavage of the molecule with Factor Xa leaves atwo amino acid N-terminal extension to the H-chain component; and₂L_(FXa/2)H₄₂₃/ a variant of this molecule which has a furtherC-terminal A-IGF-1 = extension to the H-chain, in this example theinsulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) sequence.

The basic molecular biology techniques required to carry out the presentinvention were readily available in the art before the priority date ofthe present application and, as such, would be routine to a skilledperson.

Example 1 of the present application illustrates conventionalrestriction endonuclease-dependent cleavage and ligation methodologiesfor preparing nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides of thepresent invention.

Example 4 et seq illustrate a number of alternative conventional methodsfor engineering recombinant DNA molecules that do not requiretraditional methods of restriction endonuclease-dependent cleavage andligation of DNA. One such method is the site-specific recombinationGATEWAY (trade mark) cloning system of Invitrogen, Inc., which usesphage lambda-based site-specific recombination [Landy, A. (1989) Ann.Rev. Biochem. 58, pp. 913-949]. This method is now described in slightlymore detail.

Using standard restriction endonuclease digestion, or polymerase chainreaction techniques, a DNA sequence encoding first and second domains(eg. a BoNT LH_(N) molecule) may be cloned into an Entry Vector. Thereare a number of options for creation of the correct coding regionflanked by requisite att site recombination sequences, as described inthe GATEWAY (trade mark) manual.

For example, one route is to insert a generic polylinker into the EntryVector, in which the inserted DNA contains two att sites separated bythe polylinker sequence. This approach facilitates insertion of avariety of fragments into the Entry Vector, at user-defined restrictionendonuclease sites.

A second route is to insert att sites into the primers used foramplification of the DNA of interest. In this approach, the DNA sequenceof the amplified fragment is modified to include the appropriate attsites at the 5′ and 3′ ends.

Examples of Entry Vectors are provided for LH_(N)/C (SEQ ID 135), forLH_(N)/C with no STOP codon thereby facilitating direct fusion toligands (SEQ ID 136), and for a L-chain/C sequence that can facilitatecombination with an appropriate second or third domain (SEQ ID 134).

By combination of the modified Entry Vector (containing the DNA ofinterest) and a Destination Vector of choice, an expression clone isgenerated. The Destination Vector typically provides the necessaryinformation to facilitate transcription of the inserted DNA of interestand, when introduced into an appropriate host cell, facilitatesexpression of protein.

Destination Vectors may be prepared to ensure expression of N-terminaland/or C-terminal fusion tags and/or additional protein domains. Anexample of a novel engineered Destination Vector for the expression ofMBP-tagged proteins in a non-transmissible vector backbone is presentedin SEQ ID 137. In this specific embodiment, recombination of an EntryVector possessing a sequence of interest with the Destination vectoridentified in SEQ ID 137 results in an expression vector for E. coliexpression.

The combination of Entry and Destination Vectors to prepare anexpression clone results in an expressed protein that has a modifiedsequence. In the Examples illustrated with SEQ ID 30 & 124, a peptidesequence of TSLYKKAGF is to be found at the N-terminus of theendopeptidase following cleavage to remove the purification tag. Thispeptide sequence is encoded by the DNA that forms the att site and is afeature of all clones that are constructed and expressed in this way.

It will be appreciated that the att site sequence may be modified toinsert DNA encoding a specific protease cleavage site (for example fromTable 1) to the 3′ of the att site of the entry clone.

It will be also appreciated that the precise N-terminus of anypolypeptide (eg. a LH_(N) fragment) will vary depending on how theendopeptidase DNA was introduced into the entry vector and itsrelationship to the 5′ att site. SEQ ID 29/30 & 123/124 are a case inpoint. The N-terminal extension of SEQ ID 30 is TSLYKKAGFGS whereas theN-terminal extension of SEQ ID 124 is ITSLYKKAGFGSLDH. These amino acidextension-containing domains provide further examples of first/seconddomain variants according to the present invention.

There now follows description of specific embodiments of the invention,illustrated by drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the domain structure ofbotulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A);

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of assembly of the gene for anembodiment of the invention designated LH₄₂₃/A;

FIG. 3 is a graph comparing activity of native toxin, trypsin generated“native” LH_(N)/A and an embodiment of the invention designated ₂LH₄₂₃/A(Q₂E,N₂₆K,A₂₇Y) in an in vitro peptide cleavage assay;

FIG. 4 is a comparison of the first 33 amino acids in publishedsequences of native toxin and embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows the transition region of an embodiment of the inventiondesignated L/₄H₄₂₃/A illustrating insertion of four amino acids at theN-terminus of the H_(N) sequence; amino acids coded for by the Eco 47III restriction endonuclease cleavage site are marked and the H_(N)sequence then begins ALN . . . ;

FIG. 6 shows the transition region of an embodiment of the inventiondesignated L_(FXa/3)H₄₂₃/A illustrating insertion of a Factor Xacleavage site at the C-terminus of the L-chain, and three additionalamino acids coded for at the N-terminus of the H-sequence; theN-terminal amino acid of the cleavage-activated H_(N) will be cysteine;

FIG. 7 shows the C-terminal portion of the amino acid sequence of anembodiment of the invention designated L_(FXa/3)H₄₂₃/A-IGF-1, a fusionprotein; the IGF-1 sequence begins at position G₈₈₂;

FIG. 8 shows the C-terminal portion of the amino acid sequence of anembodiment of the invention designated L_(FXa/3)H₄₂₃/A-CtxA14, a fusionprotein; the C-terminal CtxA sequence begins at position Q₈₈₂;

FIG. 9 shows the C-terminal portion of the amino acid sequence of anembodiment of the invention designated L_(FXa/3)H₄₂₃/A-ZZ, a fusionprotein; the C-terminal ZZ sequence begins at position A₈₉₀ immediatelyafter a genenase recognition site (underlined);

FIGS. 10 & 11 show schematic representations of manipulations ofpolypeptides of the invention; FIG. 10 shows LH₄₂₃/A with N-terminaladdition of an affinity purification peptide (in this case GST) andC-terminal addition of an Ig binding domain; protease cleavage sites R1,R2 and R3 enable selective enzymatic separation of domains; FIG. 11shows specific examples of protease cleavage sites R1, R2 and R3 and aC-terminal fusion peptide sequence;

FIG. 12 shows the trypsin sensitive activation region of a polypeptideof the invention;

FIG. 13 shows Western blot analysis of recombinant LH₁₀₇/B expressedfrom E. coli; panel A was probed with anti-BoNT/B antiserum; Lane 1,molecular weight standards; lanes 2 & 3, native BoNT/B; lane 4,immunopurified LH₁₀₇/B; panel B was probed with anti-T7 peptide tagantiserum; lane 1, molecular weight standards; lanes 2 & 3, positivecontrol E. coli T7 expression; lane 4 immunopurified LH₁₀₇/B.

FIG. 14 illustrates a fusion protein of the present invention, whichfusion protein includes two different proteolytic cleavage sites (E1,and E2) between a purification tag (TAG) and a first domain (L-chain),and a duplicate proteolytic cleavage sites (E2) between a first domain(L-chain) and a second domain (H_(N)). Use of the E2 protease results insimultaneous cleavage at the two defined E2 cleavage sites leaving adichain polypeptide molecule comprising the first and second domains,whereas use of the E1 protease results in cleavage at the single definedE1 cleavage site leaving a single polypeptide chain molecule comprisingthe first and second domains.

FIG. 15 illustrates the use of molecular-clamping technology to fusetogether a polypeptide comprising first and second domains (eg. LH_(N)),and a second molecule comprising a third domain (eg. a ligand).

The sequence listing that accompanies this application contains thefollowing sequences:—

SEQ ID NO: Sequence 1 DNA coding for LH₄₂₃/A 2 LH₄₂₃/A 3 DNA coding for₂₃LH₄₂₃/A (Q₂E, N₂₆K, A₂₇Y), of which an N- terminal portion is shown inFIG. 4. 4 ₂₃LH₄₂₃/A (Q₂E, N₂₆K, A₂₇Y) 5 DNA coding for ₂LH₄₂₃/A (Q₂E,N₂₆K, A₂₇Y), of which an N- terminal portion is shown in FIG. 4 6₂LH₄₂₃/A (Q₂E, N₂₆K, A₂₇Y) 7 DNA coding for native BoNT/A according toBinz et al 8 native BoNT/A according to Binz et al 9 DNA coding forL_(/4)H₄₂₃/A 10 L_(/4)H₄₂₃/A 11 DNA coding for L_(FXa)/₃H₄₂₃/A 12L_(FXa)/₃H₄₂₃/A 13 DNA coding for L_(FXa)/₃H₄₂₃/A-IGF-1 14L_(FXa)/₃H₄₂₃/A-IGF-1 15 DNA coding for L_(FXa)/₃H₄₂₃/A-CtxA14 16L_(FXa)/₃H₄₂₃/A-CtxA14 17 DNA coding for L_(FXa)/₃H₄₂₃/A-ZZ 18L_(FXa/3)H₄₂₃/A-ZZ 19 DNA coding for LH₇₂₈/B 20 LH₇₂₈/B 21 DNA codingfor LH₄₁₇/B 22 LH₄₁₇/B 23 DNA coding for LH₁₀₇/B 24 LH₁₀₇/B 25 DNAcoding for LH₄₂₃/A (Q₂E, N₂₆K, A₂₇Y) 26 LH₄₂₃/A (Q₂E, N₂₆K, A₂₇Y) 27 DNAcoding for LH₄₁₇/B wherein the first 274 bases are modified to have anE. coli codon bias 28 DNA coding for LH₄₁₇/B wherein bases 691-1641 ofthe native BoNT/B sequence have been replaced by a degenerate DNA codingfor amino acid residues 231-547 of the native BoNT/B polypeptide 29 DNAcoding for LH_(N)/A as expressed from a Gateway adapted destinationvector. LH_(N)/A incorporates an enterokinase activation site at theLC-H_(N) junction and an 11 amino acid att site peptide extension at the5′ end of the LH_(N)/A sequence 30 LH_(N)/A produced by expression ofSEQ ID 29, said polypeptide incorporating an enterokinase activationsite at the LC-H_(N) junction and an 11 amino acid att site peptideextension at the N-terminus of the LH_(N)/A sequence 31 DNA coding forLH_(N)/A with an enterokinase activation site at the LC-H_(N) junction32 LH_(N)/A produced by expression of SEQ ID 31, said polypeptide havingan enterokinase activation site at the LC-H_(N) junction 33 DNA codingfor LH_(N)/A with a Factor Xa protease activation site at the LC-H_(N)junction 34 LH_(N)/A produced by expression of SEQ ID 33, saidpolypeptide having a Factor Xa protease activation site at the LC-H_(N)junction 35 DNA coding for LH_(N)/A with a Precission proteaseactivation site at the LC-H_(N) junction 36 LH_(N)/A produced byexpression of SEQ ID 35, said polypeptide having a Precission proteaseactivation site at the LC-H_(N) junction 37 DNA coding for LH_(N)/A witha Thrombin protease activation site at the LC-H_(N) junction 38 LH_(N)/Aproduced by expression of SEQ ID 37, said polypeptide having a Thrombinprotease activation site at the LC-H_(N) junction 39 DNA coding for anLH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin) fusion in which theLC-H_(N) junction does not incorporate a specific protease cleavage siteand the ligand is spaced from the H_(N) domain by a (GGGGS)₃ spacer. 40LH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin) fusion produced byexpression of SEQ ID 39, in which the LC-H_(N) junction does notincorporate a specific protease cleavage site and the ligand is spacedfrom the H_(N) domain by a (GGGGS)₃ spacer. 41 DNA coding forLH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin) fusion in which theLC-H_(N) junction does not incorporate a specific protease cleavage siteand the ligand is spaced from the H_(N) domain by a helical spacer. 42LH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin) fusion produced byexpression of SEQ ID 41, in which the LC-H_(N) junction does notincorporate a specific protease cleavage site and the ligand is spacedfrom the H_(N) domain by a helical spacer. 43 DNA coding forLH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin) fusion in which theLC-H_(N) junction incorporates a specific enterokinase proteaseactivation site and the ligand is spaced from the H_(N) domain by a(GGGGS)₃ spacer. 44 LH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin)fusion produced by expression of SEQ ID 43, in which the LC-H_(N)junction incorporates a specific enterokinase protease activation siteand the ligand is spaced from the H_(N) domain by a (GGGGS)₃ spacer. 45DNA coding for LH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin) fusion inwhich the LC-H_(N) junction incorporates a specific enterokinaseprotease activation site and the ligand is spaced from the H_(N) domainby a helical spacer. 46 LH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin)fusion produced by expression of SEQ ID 45, in which the LC-H_(N)junction incorporates a specific enterokinase protease activation siteand the ligand is spaced from the H_(N) domain by a helical spacer. 47DNA coding for LH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin) fusion inwhich the LC-H_(N) junction incorporates a specific Thrombin proteaseactivation site and the ligand is spaced from the H_(N) domain by ahelical spacer. 48 LH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin) fusionproduced by expression of SEQ ID 47, in which the LC-H_(N) junctionincorporates a specific Thrombin protease activation site and the ligandis spaced from the H_(N) domain by a helical spacer. 49 DNA coding forLH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin) fusion in which theLC-H_(N) junction incorporates a specific Thrombin protease activationsite and the ligand is spaced from the H_(N) domain by a (GGGGS)₃spacer. 50 LH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin) fusionproduced by expression of SEQ ID 49, in which the LC-H_(N) junctionincorporates a specific Thrombin protease activation site and the ligandis spaced from the H_(N) domain by a (GGGGS)₃ spacer. 51 DNA coding forLH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin) fusion in which theLC-H_(N) junction incorporates a specific Precission protease activationsite and the ligand is spaced from the H_(N) domain by a helical spacer.52 LH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin) fusion produced byexpression of SEQ ID 51, in which the LC-H_(N) junction incorporates aspecific Precission protease activation site and the ligand is spacedfrom the H_(N) domain by a helical spacer. 53 DNA coding forLH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin) fusion in which theLC-H_(N) junction incorporates a specific Precission protease activationsite and the ligand is spaced from the H_(N) domain by a (GGGGS)₃spacer. 54 LH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin) fusionproduced by expression of SEQ ID 53, in which the LC-H_(N) junctionincorporates a specific Precission protease activation site and theligand is spaced from the H_(N) domain by a (GGGGS)₃ spacer. 55 DNAcoding for LH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin) fusion inwhich the LC-H_(N) junction incorporates a specific Factor Xa proteaseactivation site and the ligand is spaced from the H_(N) domain by ahelical spacer. 56 LH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin) fusionproduced by expression of SEQ ID 55, in which the LC-H_(N) junctionincorporates a specific Factor Xa protease activation site and theligand is spaced from the H_(N) domain by a helical spacer. 57 DNAcoding for LH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin) fusion inwhich the LC-H_(N) junction incorporates a specific Factor Xa proteaseactivation site and the ligand is spaced from the H_(N) domain by a(GGGGS)₃ spacer. 58 LH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin)fusion produced by expression of SEQ ID 57, in which the LC-H_(N)junction incorporates a specific Factor Xa protease activation site andthe ligand is spaced from the H_(N) domain by a (GGGGS)₃ spacer. 59 DNAcoding for LH_(N)/A incorporating an enterokinase protease activationsite at the LC-H_(N) junction and a C- terminal fos ligand bounded by apair of Cys residues 60 LH_(N)/A produced by expression of SEQ ID 59,said polypeptide incorporating an enterokinase protease activation siteat the LC-H_(N) junction and a C-terminal fos ligand bounded by a pairof Cys residues 61 DNA coding for LH_(N)/A incorporating an enterokinaseprotease activation site at the LC-H_(N) junction and a C- terminal(Glu)₈ peptide bounded by a pair of Cys residues 62 LH_(N)/A produced byexpression of SEQ ID 61, said polypeptide incorporating an enterokinaseprotease activation site at the LC-H_(N) junction and a C-terminal(Glu)₈ peptide bounded by a pair of Cys residues 63 DNA coding forLH_(N)/A incorporating an enterokinase protease activation site at theLC-H_(N) junction and a C- terminal fos ligand 64 LH_(N)/A produced byexpression of SEQ ID 63, said polypeptide incorporating an enterokinaseprotease activation site at the LC-H_(N) junction and a C-terminal fosligand 65 DNA coding for LH_(N)/A incorporating an enterokinase proteaseactivation site at the LC-H_(N) junction and a C- terminal (Glu)₈peptide 66 LH_(N)/A produced by expression of SEQ ID 65, saidpolypeptide incorporating an enterokinase protease activation site atthe LC-H_(N) junction and a C-terminal (Glu)₈ peptide 67 DNA coding forLH_(N)/A incorporating an enterokinase protease activation site at theLC-H_(N) junction and a C- terminal self-cleavable intein polypeptide tofacilitate thioester formation for use in chemical directed coupling 68LH_(N)/A produced by expression of SEQ ID 67, said polypeptideincorporating an enterokinase protease activation site at the LC-H_(N)junction and a C-terminal self- cleavable intein polypeptide tofacilitate thioester formation for use in chemical directed coupling 69DNA coding for LC/A with no STOP codon, a linker peptide incorporatingthe first 6 amino acids of the H_(N) domain and an enterokinase cleavagesite. 70 LC/A produced by expression of SEQ ID 69, said polypeptidehaving no STOP codon, a linker peptide incorporating the first 6 aminoacids of the H_(N) domain and an enterokinase cleavage site. 71 DNAcoding for LC/A with no STOP codon, a linker peptide incorporating thefirst 6 amino acids of the H_(N) domain and an Factor Xa cleavage site.72 LC/A produced by expression of SEQ ID 71, said polypeptide having noSTOP codon, a linker peptide incorporating the first 6 amino acids ofthe H_(N) domain and an Factor Xa cleavage site. 73 DNA coding for LC/Awith no STOP codon and a linker peptide representing the native LC-H_(N)sequence incorporating the first 6 amino acids of the H_(N) domain 74LC/A produced by expression of SEQ ID 73, said polypeptide having noSTOP codon and a linker peptide representing the native LC-H_(N)sequence incorporating the first 6 amino acids of the H_(N) domain 75DNA coding for LC/A with no STOP codon, a linker peptide incorporatingthe first 6 amino acids of the H_(N) domain and an Precission cleavagesite. 76 LC/A produced by expression of SEQ ID 75, said polypeptidehaving no STOP codon, a linker peptide incorporating the first 6 aminoacids of the H_(N) domain and an Precission cleavage site. 77 DNA codingfor LC/A with no STOP codon, a linker peptide incorporating the first 6amino acids of the H_(N) domain and an Thrombin cleavage site. 78 LC/Aproduced by expression of SEQ ID 77, said polypeptide having no STOPcodon, a linker peptide incorporating the first 6 amino acids of theH_(N) domain and an Thrombin cleavage site. 79 DNA coding for LH_(N)/Bincorporating an enterokinase protease activation site at the LC-H_(N)junction (in which there are 11 amino acids between the Cys residues ofthe LC & H_(N) domains) and a 6 amino acid N-terminal extension 80LH_(N)/B produced by expression of SEQ ID 79, said polypeptideincorporating an enterokinase protease activation site at the LC-H_(N)junction (in which there are 11 amino acids between the Cys residues ofthe LC & H_(N) domains) and a 6 amino acid N-terminal extension 81 DNAcoding for LH_(N)/B incorporating an enterokinase protease activationsite at the LC-H_(N) junction (in which there are 20 amino acids betweenthe Cys residues of the LC & H_(N) domains) and a 6 amino acidN-terminal extension 82 LH_(N)/B produced by expression of SEQ ID 82,said polypeptide incorporating an enterokinase protease activation siteat the LC-H_(N) junction (in which there are 20 amino acids between theCys residues of the LC & H_(N) domains) and a 6 amino acid N-terminalextension 83 DNA coding for LH_(N)/B incorporating a Factor Xa proteaseactivation site at the LC-H_(N) junction and an 11 amino acid N-terminalextension resulting from cleavage at an intein self-cleaving polypeptide84 LH_(N)/B produced by expression of SEQ ID 83, said polypeptideincorporating a Factor Xa protease activation site at the LC-H_(N)junction and an 11 amino acid N-terminal extension resulting fromcleavage at an intein self-cleaving polypeptide 85 DNA coding forLH_(N)/B incorporating a Factor Xa protease activation site at theLC-H_(N) junction and an 11 amino acid N-terminal extension (retaining aFactor Xa protease cleavage site) resulting from cleavage at a TEVprotease cleavage site (included to release the LH_(N)/B from apurification tag). 86 LH_(N)/B produced by expression of SEQ ID 85, saidpolypeptide incorporating a Factor Xa protease activation site at theLC-H_(N) junction and an 11 amino acid N-terminal extension (retaining aFactor Xa protease cleavage site) resulting from cleavage at a TEVprotease cleavage site (included to release the LH_(N)/B from apurification tag). 87 DNA coding for LH_(N)/B incorporating a Factor Xaprotease activation site at the LC-H_(N) junction and a 6 amino acid N-terminal extension 88 LH_(N)/B produced by expression of SEQ ID 87, saidpolypeptide incorporating a Factor Xa protease activation site at theLC-H_(N) junction and a 6 amino acid N-terminal extension 89 DNA codingfor LH_(N)/B incorporating a Factor Xa protease activation site at theLC-H_(N) junction and an 11 amino acid N-terminal extension (retainingan enterokinase protease cleavage site) resulting from cleavage at aFactor Xa protease cleavage site (included to release the LH_(N)/B froma purification tag). 90 LH_(N)/B produced by expression of SEQ ID 89,said polypeptide incorporating a Factor Xa protease activation site atthe LC-H_(N) junction and an 11 amino acid N-terminal extension(retaining an enterokinase protease cleavage site) resulting fromcleavage at a Factor Xa protease cleavage site (included to release theLH_(N)/B from a purification tag). 91 DNA coding for LH_(N)/Bincorporating a Factor Xa protease activation site at the LC-H_(N)junction and an 10 amino acid N-terminal extension (retaining a FactorXa protease cleavage site) resulting from cleavage at an enterokinaseprotease cleavage site (included to release the LH_(N)/B from apurification tag). 92 LH_(N)/B produced by expression of SEQ ID 91, saidpolypeptide incorporating a Factor Xa protease activation site at theLC-H_(N) junction and an 10 amino acid N-terminal extension (retaining aFactor Xa protease cleavage site) resulting from cleavage at anenterokinase protease cleavage site (included to release the LH_(N)/Bfrom a purification tag). 93 DNA coding for LH_(N)/B incorporating aFactor Xa protease activation site at the LC-H_(N) junction and a 2amino acid (Gly-Ser) N-terminal extension as expressed in pGEX-4T-2 94LH_(N)/B produced by expression of SEQ ID 93, said polypeptideincorporating a Factor Xa protease activation site at the LC-H_(N)junction and a 2 amino acid (Gly-Ser) N- terminal extension as expressedin pGEX-4T-2 95 DNA coding for LH_(N)/B incorporating a Factor Xaprotease activation site at the LC-H_(N) junction and a 7 amino acid(Ser-Pro-Gly-Ala-Arg-Gly-Ser) N-terminal extension as expressed inpET-43a 96 LH_(N)/B produced by expression of SEQ ID 95, saidpolypeptide incorporating a Factor Xa protease activation site at theLC-H_(N) junction and a 7 amino acid (Ser-Pro- Gly-Ala-Arg-Gly-Ser)N-terminal extension as expressed in pET-43a 97 DNA coding for LH_(N)/Bincorporating a Factor Xa protease activation site at the LC-H_(N)junction and a 7 amino acid (Ala-Met-Ala-Glu-Ile-Gly-Ser) N-terminalextension as expressed in pET-32a 98 LH_(N)/B produced by expression ofSEQ ID 97, said polypeptide incorporating a Factor Xa proteaseactivation site at the LC-H_(N) junction and a 7 amino acid(Ala-Met-Ala- Asp-Ile-Gly-Ser) N-terminal extension as expressed inpET-32a 99 DNA coding for LH_(N)/B incorporating a Thrombin proteaseactivation site at the LC-H_(N) junction and a 6 amino acid(Ile-Ser-Glu-Phe-Gly-Ser) N-terminal extension as expressed in pMAL-c2100 LH_(N)/B produced by expression of SEQ ID 99, said polypeptideincorporating a Thrombin protease activation site at the LC-H_(N)junction and a 6 amino acid (Ile-Ser-Glu- Phe-Gly-Ser) N-terminalextension as expressed in pMAL- c2 101 DNA coding for LH_(N)/Bincorporating a TEV protease activation site at the LC-H_(N) junctionand a 6 amino acid (Ile-Ser-Glu-Phe-Gly-Ser) N-terminal extension asexpressed in pMAL-c2 102 LH_(N)/B produced by expression of SEQ ID 101,said polypeptide incorporating a TEV protease activation site at theLC-H_(N) junction and a 6 amino acid (Ile-Ser-Glu-Phe- Gly-Ser)N-terminal extension as expressed in pMAL-c2 103 DNA coding for LH_(N)/Bincorporating a Factor Xa protease activation site at the LC-H_(N)junction and a 6 amino acid (Ile-Ser-Glu-Phe-Gly-Ser) N-terminalextension as expressed in pMAL-c2. DNA incorporates MfeI and AvrIIrestriction enzyme sites for incorporation of novel linker sequences atthe LC-H_(N) junction. 104 LH_(N)/B produced by expression of SEQ ID103, said polypeptide incorporating a Factor Xa protease activation siteat the LC-H_(N) junction and a 6 amino acid (Ile-Ser-Glu- Phe-Gly-Ser)N-terminal extension as expressed in pMAL- c2. 105 DNA coding forLH_(N)/B incorporating an enterokinase protease activation site at theLC-H_(N) junction (in which there are 20 amino acids between the Cysresidues of the LC & H_(N) domains) and a 6 amino acid (Ile-Ser-Glu-Phe-Gly-Ser) N-terminal extension. AvrII restriction site is deleted. 106LH_(N)/B produced by expression of SEQ ID 105, said polypeptideincorporating an enterokinase protease activation site at the LC-H_(N)junction (in which there are 20 amino acids between the Cys residues ofthe LC & H_(N) domains) and a 6 amino acid (Ile-Ser-Glu-Phe-Gly-Ser) N-terminal extension 107 DNA coding for LH_(N)/B incorporating anenterokinase protease activation site at the LC-H_(N) junction (in whichthere are 20 amino acids between the Cys residues of the LC & H_(N)domains) and a 6 amino acid (Ile-Ser-Glu-Phe- Gly-Ser) N-terminalextension. 108 LH_(N)/B produced by expression of SEQ ID 107, saidpolypeptide incorporating an enterokinase protease activation site atthe LC-H_(N) junction (in which there are 20 amino acids between the Cysresidues of the LC & H_(N) domains) and a 6 amino acid(Ile-Ser-Glu-Phe-Gly-Ser) N- terminal extension. 109 DNA coding for amaltose-binding protein-Factor Xa-intein- LC/B-Factor Xa-H_(N)expression construct. 110 MBP-LH_(N)/B produced by expression of SEQ ID109, said polypeptide incorporating a self-cleavable intein sequence tofacilitate removal of the MBP purification tag and a Factor Xa proteaseactivation site at the LC-H_(N) junction 111 DNA coding for LH_(N)/Bincorporating an enterokinase protease activation site at the LC-H_(N)junction (in which there are 11 amino acids between the Cys residues ofthe LC & H_(N) domains) and an 11 amino acid (Thr-Ser-Leu-Tyr-Lys-Lys-Ala-Gly-Phe-Gly-Ser) N-terminal extension derived from the attsite adaptation of the vector. This construct has the C-terminal STOPcodon removed to facilitate direct fusion of fragment and ligands. 112LH_(N)/B produced by expression of SEQ ID 111, said polypeptideincorporating an enterokinase protease activation site at the LC-H_(N)junction (in which there are 11 amino acids between the Cys residues ofthe LC & H_(N) domains) and an 11 amino acid (Thr-Ser-Leu-Tyr-Lys-Lys-Ala-Gly-Phe-Gly-Ser) N-terminal extension derived from the att siteadaptation of the vector. 113 DNA coding for LC/B with no STOP codon, alinker peptide incorporating the first 6 amino acids of the H_(N) domainand an enterokinase protease cleavage site bounded by Cys residues 114LC/B produced by expression of SEQ ID 113, said polypeptide having noSTOP codon, a linker peptide incorporating the first 6 amino acids ofthe H_(N) domain and an enterokinase protease cleavage site bounded byCys residues 115 DNA coding for LH_(N)/C incorporating a Factor Xacleavage site at the LC-H_(N) junction, an 11 amino acid (Thr-Ser-Leu-Tyr-Lys-Lys-Ala-Gly-Phe-Gly-Ser) N-terminal extension derived from theatt site adaptation of the vector, and a C- terminal (Glu)₈ peptide tofacilitate molecular clamping. 116 LH_(N)/C produced by expression ofSEQ ID 115, said polypeptide incorporating a Factor Xa cleavage site atthe LC-H_(N) junction, an 11 amino acid (Thr-Ser-Leu-Tyr-Lys-Lys-Ala-Gly-Phe-Gly-Ser) N-terminal extension derived from the att siteadaptation of the vector, and a C-terminal (Glu)₈ peptide to facilitatemolecular clamping. 117 DNA coding for LH_(N)/C incorporating a FactorXa cleavage site at the LC-H_(N) junction, an 11 amino acid(Thr-Ser-Leu- Tyr-Lys-Lys-Ala-Gly-Phe-Gly-Ser) N-terminal extensionderived from the att site adaptation of the vector, and a C- terminalfos ligand bounded by a pair of Cys residues to facilitate molecularclamping. 118 LH_(N)/C produced by expression of SEQ ID 117, saidpolypeptide incorporating a Factor Xa cleavage site at the LC-H_(N)junction, an 11 amino acid (Thr-Ser-Leu-Tyr-Lys-Lys-Ala-Gly-Phe-Gly-Ser) N-terminal extension derived from the att siteadaptation of the vector, and a C-terminal fos ligand bounded by a pairof Cys residues to facilitate molecular clamping. 119 DNA coding forLH_(N)/C incorporating a Factor Xa cleavage site at the LC-H_(N)junction, an 11 amino acid (Thr-Ser-Leu-Tyr-Lys-Lys-Ala-Gly-Phe-Gly-Ser) N-terminal extension derived from theatt site adaptation of the vector, and a C- terminal (Glu)₈ peptidebounded by a pair of Cys residues to facilitate molecular clamping 120LH_(N)/C produced by expression of SEQ ID 119, said polypeptideincorporating a Factor Xa cleavage site at the LC-H_(N) junction, an 11amino acid (Thr-Ser-Leu-Tyr-Lys- Lys-Ala-Gly-Phe-Gly-Ser) N-terminalextension derived from the att site adaptation of the vector, and aC-terminal (Glu)₈ peptide bounded by a pair of Cys residues tofacilitate molecular clamping 121 DNA coding for LH_(N)/C incorporatinga Factor Xa cleavage site at the LC-H_(N) junction, an 11 amino acid(Thr-Ser-Leu- Tyr-Lys-Lys-Ala-Gly-Phe-Gly-Ser) N-terminal extensionderived from the att site adaptation of the vector, and a C- terminalfos ligand to facilitate molecular clamping. 122 LH_(N)/C produced byexpression of SEQ ID 121, said polypeptide incorporating a Factor Xacleavage site at the LC-H_(N) junction, an 11 amino acid(Thr-Ser-Leu-Tyr-Lys- Lys-Ala-Gly-Phe-Gly-Ser) N-terminal extensionderived from the att site adaptation of the vector, and a C-terminal fosligand to facilitate molecular clamping 123 DNA coding for LH_(N)/Cincorporating a Factor Xa cleavage site at the LC-H_(N) junction, an 15amino acid (Ile-Thr-Ser-Leu-Tyr-Lys-Lys-Ala-Gly-Phe-Gly-Ser-Leu-Asp-His) N- terminal extensionderived from the all site adaptation of the vector. 124 LH_(N)/Cproduced by expression of SEQ ID 123, said polypeptide incorporating aFactor Xa cleavage site at the LC-H_(N) junction, a 15 amino acid(Ile-Thr-Ser-Leu-Tyr-Lys- Lys-Ala-Gly-Phe-Gly-Ser-Leu-Asp-His)N-terminal extension derived from the att site adaptation of the vector.125 DNA coding for LH_(N)/C incorporating a Factor Xa cleavage site atthe LC-H_(N) junction and an 11 amino acid (Val-Pro-Glu-Phe-Gly-Ser-Ser-Arg-Val-Asp-His) N-terminal extension derivedfollowing cleavage of the protein with enterokinase 126 LH_(N)/Cproduced by expression of SEQ ID 125, said polypeptide incorporating aFactor Xa cleavage site at the LC-H_(N) junction and an 11 amino acid(Val-Pro-Glu-Phe- Gly-Ser-Ser-Arg-Val-Asp-His) N-terminal extensionderived following cleavage of the protein with enterokinase to releasethe N-terminal MBP purification tag. 127 DNA coding for LH_(N)/Cincorporating a Factor Xa cleavage site at the LC-H_(N) junction and an10 amino acid (Val-Glu- Phe-Gly-Ser-Ser-Arg-Val-Asp-His) N-terminalextension derived following cleavage of the protein with genenase 128LH_(N)/C produced by expression of SEQ ID 127, said polypeptideincorporating a Factor Xa cleavage site at the LC-H_(N) junction and an10 amino acid (Val-Glu-Phe-Gly- Ser-Ser-Arg-Val-Asp-His) N-terminalextension derived following cleavage of the protein with genenase torelease the N-terminal MBP purification tag 129 DNA coding for LH_(N)/Cincorporating a Factor Xa cleavage site at the LC-H_(N) junction and an11 amino acid (Ile-Ser- Glu-Phe-Gly-Ser-Ser-Arg-Val-Asp-His) N-terminalextension derived following cleavage of the protein with Factor Xa 130LH_(N)/C produced by expression of SEQ ID 129, said polypeptideincorporating a Factor Xa cleavage site at the LC-H_(N) junction and an11 amino acid (Ile-Ser-Glu-Phe- Gly-Ser-Ser-Arg-Val-Asp-His) N-terminalextension derived following cleavage of the protein with Factor Xa 131DNA coding for LH_(N)/C incorporating a Factor Xa cleavage site at theLC-H_(N) junction, a 15 amino acid (Ile-Thr-Ser-Leu-Tyr-Lys-Lys-Ala-Gly-Phe-Gly-Ser-Leu-Asp-His) N- terminal extensionand a 21 amino acid (Leu-Gln-Thr-Leu-Asp-Asp-Pro-Ala-Phe-Leu-Tyr-Lys-Val-Val-Ile-Phe-Gln- Asn-Ser-Asp-Pro)C-terminal extension derived from the att site adaptation of the vector.The clone has no STOP codon in order to facilitate fusion of ligandsonto C- terminus of H_(N) domain. 132 LH_(N)/C produced by expression ofSEQ ID 131, said polypeptide incorporating a Factor Xa cleavage site atthe LC-H_(N) junction, a 15 amino acid (Ile-Thr-Ser-Leu-Tyr-Lys-Lys-Ala-Gly-Phe-Gly-Ser-Leu-Asp-His) N-terminal extension and a 21 aminoacid (Leu-Gln-Thr-Leu-Asp-Asp-Pro-Ala-Phe-Leu-Tyr-Lys-Val-Val-Ile-Phe-Gln-Asn-Ser- Asp-Pro) C-terminalextension derived from the att site adaptation of the vector. The clonehas no STOP codon in order to facilitate fusion of ligands ontoC-terminus of H_(N) domain. 133 DNA coding for LH_(N)/C incorporating aFactor Xa cleavage site at the LC-H_(N) junction, an N-terminalextension and a C-terminal extension derived from the att siteadaptation of the vector. The clone has no STOP codon in order tofacilitate fusion of ligands onto C-terminus of H_(N) domain. 134 DNAcoding for LC/C as prepared in pENTRY2 for use in the Gateway sitespecific recombination cloning system. LC/C has no STOP codon in orderto facilitate creation of LC-H_(N) fusions through recombination. 135DNA coding for LH_(N)/C as prepared in pENTRY2 for use in the Gatewaysite specific recombination cloning system. LH_(N)/C has a STOP codonand is thus in the correct format for recombination into an appropriatedestination vector. 136 DNA coding for LH_(N)/C as prepared in pENTRY2for use in the Gateway site specific recombination cloning system.LH_(N)/C has no STOP codon in order to facilitate creation ofLH_(N)/C-ligand fusions through recombination. 137 DNA sequence of apMTL vector modified to be a suitable destination vector in which toinsert endopeptidase fragments from entry vectors. Vector constructed byinsertion of Gateway vector conversion cassette reading frame A intopMAL-c2X. Expression cassette (ptac promoter, male gene, Gatewaycassette and polylinker) subsequently cloned into pMTL. 138 DNA codingfor LH_(N)/A-ligand (Erythrina cristagalli lectin) fusion in which theLC-H_(N) junction incorporates a specific enterokinase proteaseactivation site and the ligand is spaced from the H_(N) domain by apeptide sequence derived from an Rnase A loop 139 LH_(N)/A-ligand(Erythrina cristagalli lectin) fusion produced by expression of SEQ ID138, in which the LC-H_(N) junction incorporates a specific enterokinaseprotease activation site and the ligand is spaced from the H_(N) domainby a peptide sequence derived from an Rnase A loop 140 DNA coding fortetanus toxin 141 Tetanus toxin produced by expression of SEQ ID 140,said polypeptide incorporating the LC, H_(N) and H_(C) domains 142 DNAcoding for LH_(N) of tetanus toxin, in which the 3′ end of the cloneencodes the sequence . . . Glu-Glu-Asp-Ile-Asp- Val-STOP, terminating atresidue Val879 143 LH_(N) of tetanus toxin produced by expression of SEQID 142, said polypeptide terminating with the sequence . . .Glu-Glu-Asp-Ile-Asp-Val-STOP, terminating at residue Val879. 144 DNAcoding for LH_(N) of tetanus toxin, in which the 3′ end of the cloneencodes the sequence . . . Glu-Glu-Asp-Ile-Asp- Val-STOP as in SEQ ID142. The clone also incorporates a specific enterokinase proteaseactivation site at the junction of the LC and H_(N) domain. 145 LH_(N)of tetanus toxin produced by expression of SEQ ID 144, said polypeptideterminating with the sequence . . . Glu-Glu-Asp-Ile-Asp-Val-STOP as inSEQ ID 143. The protein also incorporates a specific enterokinaseprotease activation site at the junction of the LC and H_(N) domain. 146DNA coding for LH_(N) of tetanus toxin, in which the 3′ end of the cloneencodes the sequence . . . Glu-Glu-Asp-Ile-Asp-Val-Ile-Leu-Lys-Lys-Ser-Thr-Ile-Leu-STOP, terminating at residue Leu887147 LH_(N) of tetanus toxin produced by expression of SEQ ID 146, saidpolypeptide terminating with the sequence . . .Glu-Glu-Asp-Ile-Asp-Val-Ile-Leu-Lys-Lys-Ser-Thr-Ile- Leu-STOP,terminating at residue Leu887 148 DNA encoding ₂LH₄₂₃/A(Q₂E) 149₂LH₄₂₃/A(Q₂E), which is a single polypeptide comprising a BoNT/A L-chainand the N-terminal 423 amino acid residues of a BoNT/A H-chain. Thepolypeptide has been generated by cleavage from a GST purification tagand has a 2 amino acid extension (GS) on the N-terminus of the L-chainresulting from the proteolytic cleavage of the L- chain from thepurification tag. The polypeptide has a variant amino acid residue E atposition 2 compared with Q in a native serotype A L-chain. 150 DNAencoding ₂LH₄₂₃/A(Q₂E), wherein the DNA has an E. coli codon bias. 151₂LH₄₂₃/A(Q₂E), which is equivalent to SED ID NO 149. 152 DNA encodingLH₄₂₃/A(Q₂E), wherein the DNA has an E. coli codon bias. 153LH₄₂₃/A(Q₂E), which is equivalent to SEQ ID NO 151 but without anyN-terminal extension to the L-chain. 154 DNA encoding LH₄₂₃/A(Q₂E). 155LH₄₂₃/A(Q₂E), which is equivalent to SEQ ID NO 149 but without anyN-terminal extension to the L-chain. 156 DNA encoding₂L_(FXa)/₃H₄₂₃/A(Q₂E). 157 ₂L_(FXa)/₃H₄₂₃/A(Q₂E), which is equivalent toSEQ ID NO 151 and wherein a Factor Xa cleavage site has been introducedbetween the L-chain and H-chain components of the polypeptide. 158 DNAencoding LH₄₂₃/A(Q₂E)-6His. 159 LH₄₂₃/A(Q₂E)-6His, which is a nativeLH_(N) molecule and includes a C-terminal poly-His purification tag. 160DNA encoding ₂L_(FXa)/₃H₄₂₃/A(Q₂E)_(Fxa)-6His. 161₂L_(FXa)/₃H₄₂₃/A(Q₂E)_(FXa)-6His, which is equivalent to SEQ ID NO 157and includes a Factor Xa cleavage site to facilitate removal of thepoly-His purification tag. 162 DNA encoding ₂LH₄₂₃/A(Q₂E, H₂₂₇Y). 163₂LH₄₂₃/A(Q₂E, H₂₂₇Y), which is equivalent to SEQ ID NO 149 and whereinthe polypeptide has a variant amino acid residue Y at position 227compared with H in a native serotype A L-chain. 164 DNA encoding₂LH₄₂₃/A(Q₂E, H₂₂₇Y), wherein the DNA has an E. coli codon bias. 165₂LH₄₂₃/A(Q₂E, H₂₂₇Y), which is equivalent to SEQ ID NO 163. 166 DNAencoding ₂LH₄₂₃/A(Q₂E, E₂₂₄Q), wherein the DNA has an E. coli codonbias. 167 ₂LH₄₂₃/A(Q₂E, E₂₂₄Q), which is equivalent to SEQ ID NO 151 andwherein the polypeptide has a variant amino acid residue Q at position224 compared with E in a native serotype A L-chain. 168 DNA encoding₂LH₄₂₃/A(Q₂E, E₂₂₄Q, H₂₂₇Y), wherein the DNA has an E. coli codon bias.169 ₂LH₄₂₃/A(Q₂E, E₂₂₄Q, H₂₂₇Y), which is equivalent to SEQ ID NO 167and wherein the polypeptide has a variant amino acid residue Y atposition 227 compared with H in a native serotype A L-chain. 170 DNAencoding L_(FXa)/H₄₁₇/B. 171 L_(FXa)/H₄₁₇/B, which is a singlepolypeptide comprising a BoNT/B L-chain and the N-terminal 417 aminoacid residues of a BoNT/B H-chain, wherein a Factor Xa cleavage siteexists between the L-chain and H-chain. 172 DNA encoding L_(FXa)/H₄₁₇/B.173 L_(FXa)/H₄₁₇/B, which is a single polypeptide comprising a BoNT/BL-chain and the N-terminal 417 amino acid residues of a BoNT/B H-chain,wherein a Factor Xa cleavage site exists between the L-chain andH-chain. 174 DNA encoding L_(FXa)/H₄₁₇/B. 175 L_(FXa)/H₄₁₇/B, which isequivalent to SEQ ID NO 173, wherein a modified linker sequence existsbetween the L- chain and H-chain vis-a-vis SEQ ID NO 173.

EXAMPLE 1

A 2616 base pair, double stranded gene sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1) has beenassembled from a combination of synthetic, chromosomal andpolymerase-chain-reaction generated DNA (FIG. 2). The gene codes for apolypeptide of 871 amino acid residues corresponding to the entirelight-chain (LC, 448 amino acids) and 423 residues of the amino terminusof the heavy-chain (H_(C)) of botulinum neurotoxin type A. Thisrecombinant product is designated the LH₄₂₃/A fragment (SEQ ID NO: 2).

Construction of the Recombinant Product

The first 918 base pairs of the recombinant gene were synthesised byconcatenation of short oligonucleotides to generate a coding sequencewith an E coli codon bias. Both DNA strands in this region werecompletely synthesised as short overlapping oligonucleotides which werephosphorylated, annealed and ligated to generate the full syntheticregion ending with a unique KpnI restriction site. The remainder of theLH₄₂₃/A coding sequence was PCR amplified from total chromosomal DNAfrom Clostridium botulinum and annealed to the synthetic portion of thegene.

The internal PCR amplified product sequences were then deleted andreplaced with the native, fully sequenced, regions from clones of C.botulinum chromosomal origin to generate the final gene construct. Thefinal composition is synthetic DNA (bases 1-913), polymerase amplifiedDNA (bases 914-1138 and 1976-2616) and the remainder is of C. botulinumchromosomal origin (bases 1139-1975). The assembled gene was then fullysequenced and cloned into a variety of E. coli plasmid vectors forexpression analysis.

Expression of the Recombinant Gene and Recovery of Protein Product

The DNA is expressed in E. coli as a single nucleic acid transcriptproducing a soluble single chain polypeptide of 99,951 Daltons predictedmolecular weight. The gene is currently expressed in E. coli as a fusionto the commercially available coding sequence of glutathioneS-transferase (GST) of Schistosoma japonicum but any of an extensiverange of recombinant gene expression vectors such as pEZZ18, pTrc99,pFLAG or the pMAL series may be equally effective as might expression inother prokaryotic or eukaryotic hosts such as the Gram positive bacilli,the yeast P. pastoris or in insect or mammalian cells under appropriateconditions.

Currently, E. coli harbouring the expression construct is grown inLuria-Bertani broth (L-broth pH 7.0, containing 10 g/l bacto-tryptone, 5g/l bacto-yeast extract and 10 g/l sodium chloride) at 37E C until thecell density (biomass) has an optical absorbance of 0.4-0.6 at 600 nmand the cells are in mid-logarithmic growth phase. Expression of thegene is then induced by addition of isopropylthio-β-D-galactosidase(IPTG) to a final concentration of 0.5 mM. Recombinant gene expressionis allowed to proceed for 90 min at a reduced temperature of 25EC. Thecells are then harvested by centrifugation, are resuspended in a buffersolution containing 10 mM Na₂HPO₄, 0.5 M NaCl, 10 mM EGTA, 0.25% Tween,pH 7.0 and then frozen at −20EC. For extraction of the recombinantprotein the cells are disrupted by sonication. The cell extract is thencleared of debris by centrifugation and the cleared supernatant fluidcontaining soluble recombinant fusion protein (GST-LH₄₂₃/A) is stored at−20EC pending purification. A proportion of recombinant material is notreleased by the sonication procedure and this probably reflectsinsolubility or inclusion body formation. Currently we do not extractthis material for analysis but if desired this could be readily achievedusing methods known to those skilled in the art.

The recombinant GST-LH₄₂₃/A is purified by adsorption onto acommercially prepared affinity matrix of glutathione Sepharose andsubsequent elution with reduced glutathione. The GST affinitypurification marker is then removed by proteolytic cleavage andreabsorption to glutathione Sepharose; recombinant LH₄₂₃/A is recoveredin the non-adsorbed material.

Construct Variants

A variant of the molecule, LH₄₂₃/A (Q₂E,N₂₆K,A₂₇Y) (SEQ ID NO: 26) hasbeen produced in which three amino acid residues have been modifiedwithin the light chain of LH₄₂₃/A producing a polypeptide containing alight chain sequence different to that of the published amino acidsequence of the light chain of BoNT/A.

Two further variants of the gene sequence that have been expressed andthe corresponding products purified are ₂₃LH₄₂₃/A (Q₂E,N₂₆K,A₂₇Y) (SEQID NO: 4) which has a 23 amino acid N-terminal extension as compared tothe predicted native L-chain of BONT/A and ₂LH₄₂₃/A (Q₂E,N₂₆K,A₂₇Y) (SEQID NO: 6) which has a 2 amino acid N-terminal extension (FIG. 4).

In yet another variant a gene has been produced which contains a Eco 47III restriction site between nucleotides 1344 and 1345 of the genesequence given in (SEQ ID NO: 1). This modification provides arestriction site at the position in the gene representing the interfaceof the heavy and light chains in native neurotoxin, and provides thecapability to make insertions at this point using standard restrictionenzyme methodologies known to those skilled in the art. It will also beobvious to those skilled in the art that any one of a number ofrestriction sites could be so employed, and that the Eco 47 IIIinsertion simply exemplifies this approach. Similarly, it would beobvious for one skilled in the art that insertion of a restriction sitein the manner described could be performed on any gene of the invention.The gene described, when expressed, codes for a polypeptide,L_(/4)H₄₂₃/A (SEQ ID NO: 10), which contains an additional four aminoacids between amino acids 448 and 449 of LH₄₂₃/A at a positionequivalent to the amino terminus of the heavy chain of native BoNT/A.

A variant of the gene has been expressed, L_(FXa/3)H₄₂₃/A (SEQ ID NO:12), in which a specific proteolytic cleavage site was incorporated atthe carboxy-terminal end of the light chain domain, specifically afterresidue 448 of L_(/4)H₄₂₃/A. The cleavage site incorporated was forFactor Xa protease and was coded for by modification of SEQ ID NO: 1. Itwill be apparent to one skilled in the art that a cleavage site foranother specified protease could be similarly incorporated, and that anygene sequence coding for the required cleavage site could be employed.Modification of the gene sequence in this manner to code for a definedprotease site could be performed on any gene of the invention.

Variants of L_(FXa/3)H₄₂₃/A have been constructed in which a thirddomain is present at the carboxy-terminal end of the polypeptide whichincorporates a specific binding activity into the polypeptide.

Specific examples described are:

(1) L_(FX/3)H₄₂₃/A-IGF-1 (SEQ ID NO: 14), in which the carboxy-terminaldomain has a sequence equivalent to that of insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) and is able to bind to the insulin-like growth factor receptorwith high affinity;(2) L_(FXa/3)H₄₂₃/A-CtxA14 (SEQ ID NO: 16), in which thecarboxy-terminal domain has a sequence equivalent to that of the 14amino acids from the carboxy-terminus of the A-subunit of cholera toxin(CtxA) and is thereby able to interact with the cholera toxin B-subunitpentamer; and(3) L_(FXa/3)H₄₂₃/A-ZZ (SEQ ID NO: 18), in which the carboxy-terminaldomain is a tandem repeating synthetic IgG binding domain. This variantalso exemplifies another modification applicable to the currentinvention, namely the inclusion in the gene of a sequence coding for aprotease cleavage site located between the end of the clostridial heavychain sequence and the sequence coding for the binding ligand.Specifically in this example a sequence is inserted at nucleotides 2650to 2666 coding for a genenase cleavage site. Expression of this geneproduces a polypeptide which has the desired protease sensitivity at theinterface between the domain providing H_(N) function and the bindingdomain. Such a modification enables selective removal of the C-terminalbinding domain by treatment of the polypeptide with the relevantprotease.

It will be apparent that any one of a number of such binding domainscould be incorporated into the polypeptide sequences of this inventionand that the above examples are merely to exemplify the concept.Similarly, such binding domains can be incorporated into any of thepolypeptide sequences that are the basis of this invention. Further, itshould be noted that such binding domains could be incorporated at anyappropriate location within the polypeptide molecules of the invention.

Further embodiments of the invention are thus illustrated by a DNA ofthe invention further comprising a desired restriction endonuclease siteat a desired location and by a polypeptide of the invention furthercomprising a desired protease cleavage site at a desired location.

The restriction endonuclease site may be introduced so as to facilitatefurther manipulation of the DNA in manufacture of an expression vectorfor expressing a polypeptide of the invention; it may be introduced as aconsequence of a previous step in manufacture of the DNA; it may beintroduced by way of modification by insertion, substitution or deletionof a known sequence. The consequence of modification of the DNA may bethat the amino acid sequence is unchanged, or may be that the amino acidsequence is changed, for example resulting in introduction of a desiredprotease cleavage site, either way the polypeptide retains its first andsecond domains having the properties required by the invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of an expression productexemplifying features described in this example. Specifically, itillustrates a single polypeptide incorporating a domain equivalent tothe light chain of botulinum neurotoxin type A and a domain equivalentto the H_(N) domain of the heavy chain of botulinum neurotoxin type Awith a N-terminal extension providing an affinity purification domain,namely GST, and a C-terminal extension providing a ligand bindingdomain, namely an IgG binding domain. The domains of the polypeptide arespatially separated by specific protease cleavage sites enablingselective enzymatic separation of domains as exemplified in the Figure.This concept is more specifically depicted in FIG. 11 where the variousprotease sensitivities are defined for the purpose of example.

Assay of Product Activity

The LC of botulinum neurotoxin type A exerts a zinc-dependentendopeptidase activity on the synaptic vesicle associated proteinSNAP-25 which it cleaves in a specific manner at a single peptide bond.The ₂LH₄₂₃/A (Q₂E,N₂₆K,A₂₇Y) (SEQ ID NO: 6) cleaves a synthetic SNAP-25substrate in vitro under the same conditions as the native toxin (FIG.3). Thus, the modification of the polypeptide sequence of ₂LH₄₂₃/A(Q₂E,N₂₆K,A₂₇Y) relative to the native sequence and within the minimalfunctional LC domains does not prevent the functional activity of the LCdomains.

This activity is dependent on proteolytic modification of therecombinant GST-₂LH₄₂₃/A (Q₂E,N₂₆K,A₂₇Y) to convert the single chainpolypeptide product to a disulphide linked dichain species. This iscurrently done using the proteolytic enzyme trypsin. The recombinantproduct (100-600 Φg/ml) is incubated at 37EC for 10-50 minutes withtrypsin (10 Φg/ml) in a solution containing 140 mM NaCl, 2.7 mM KCl, 10mM Na₂HPO₄, 1.8 mM KH₂PO₄, pH 7.3. The reaction is terminated byaddition of a 100-fold molar excess of trypsin inhibitor. The activationby trypsin generates a disulphide linked dichain species as determinedby polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting analysis usingpolyclonal anti-botulinum neurotoxin type A antiserum.

₂LH₄₂₃/A is more stable in the presence of trypsin and more active inthe in vitro peptide cleavage assay than is ₂₃LH₄₂₃/A. Both variants,however, are fully functional in the in vitro peptide cleavage assay.This demonstrates that the recombinant molecule will tolerate N-terminalamino acid extensions and this may be expanded to other chemical ororganic moieties as would be obvious to those skilled in the art.

EXAMPLE 2

As a further exemplification of this invention a number of genesequences have been assembled coding for polypeptides corresponding tothe entire light-chain and varying numbers of residues from the aminoterminal end of the heavy chain of botulinum neurotoxin type B. In thisexemplification of the disclosure the gene sequences assembled wereobtained from a combination of chromosomal and polymerase-chain-reactiongenerated DNA, and therefore have the nucleotide sequence of theequivalent regions of the natural genes, thus exemplifying the principlethat the substance of this disclosure can be based upon natural as wellas a synthetic gene sequences.

The gene sequences relating to this example were all assembled andexpressed using methodologies as detailed in Sambrook J, Fritsch E F &Maniatis T (1989) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (2nd Edition),Ford N, Nolan C, Ferguson M & Ockler M (eds), Cold Spring HarborLaboratory Press, New York, and known to those skilled in the art.

A gene has been assembled coding for a polypeptide of 1171 amino acidscorresponding to the entire light-chain (443 amino acids) and 728residues from the amino terminus of the heavy chain of neurotoxin typeB. Expression of this gene produces a polypeptide, LH₇₂₈/B (SEQ ID NO:20), which lacks the specific neuronal binding activity of full lengthBoNT/B.

A gene has also been assembled coding for a variant polypeptide, LH₄₁₇/B(SEQ ID NO: 22), which possesses an amino acid sequence at its carboxyterminus equivalent by amino acid homology to that at thecarboxy-terminus of the heavy chain fragment in native LH_(N)/A.

A gene has also been assembled coding for a variant polypeptide, LH₁₀₇/B(SEQ ID NO: 24), which expresses at its carboxy-terminus a shortsequence from the amino terminus of the heavy chain of BoNT/B sufficientto maintain solubility of the expressed polypeptide.

Construct Variants

A variant of the coding sequence for the first 274 bases of the geneshown in SEQ ID NO: 21 has been produced which whilst being a non-nativenucleotide sequence still codes for the native polypeptide.

Two double stranded, a 268 base pair and a 951 base pair, gene sequenceshave been created using an overlapping primer PCR strategy. Thenucleotide bias of these sequences was designed to have an E. coli codonusage bias.

For the first sequence, six oligonucleotides representing the first (5′)268 nucleotides of the native sequence for botulinum toxin type B weresynthesised. For the second sequence 23 oligonucleotides representinginternal sequence nucleotides 691-1641 of the native sequence forbotulinum toxin type B were synthesised. The oligonucleotides rangedfrom 57-73 nucleotides in length. Overlapping regions, 17-20nucleotides, were designed to give melting temperatures in the range52-56EC. In addition, terminal restriction endonuclease sites of thesynthetic products were constructed to facilitate insertion of theseproducts into the exact corresponding region of the native sequence. The268 bp 5′ synthetic sequence has been incorporated into the gene shownin SEQ ID NO: 21 in place of the original first 268 bases (and is shownin SEQ ID NO: 27).

Similarly the sequence could be inserted into other genes of theexamples.

Another variant sequence equivalent to nucleotides 691 to 1641 of SEQ IDNO: 21, and employing non-native codon usage whilst coding for a nativepolypeptide sequence, has been constructed using the internal syntheticsequence. This sequence (SEQ ID NO: 28) can be incorporated, alone or incombination with other variant sequences, in place of the equivalentcoding sequence in any of the genes of the example.

EXAMPLE 3

An exemplification of the utility of this invention is as a non-toxicand effective immunogen. The non-toxic nature of the recombinant, singlechain material was demonstrated by intraperitoneal administration inmice of GST-₂LH₄₂₃/A. The polypeptide was prepared and purified asdescribed above. The amount of immunoreactive material in the finalpreparation was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)using a monoclonal antibody (BA11) reactive against a conformationdependent epitope on the native LH_(N)/A. The recombinant material wasserially diluted in phosphate buffered saline (PBS; NaCl 8 g/l, KCl 0.2g/l, Na₂HPO₄ 1.15 g/l, KH₂PO₄ 0.2 g/l, pH 7.4) and 0.5 ml volumesinjected into 3 groups of 4 mice such that each group of mice received10, 5 and 1 micrograms of material respectively. Mice were observed for4 days and no deaths were seen.

For immunisation, 20 Φg of GST-₂LH₄₂₃/A in a 1.0 ml volume ofwater-in-oil emulsion (1:1 vol:vol) using Freund's complete (primaryinjections only) or Freund's incomplete adjuvant was administered intoguinea pigs via two sub-cutaneous dorsal injections. Three injections at10 day intervals were given (day 1, day 10 and day 20) and antiserumcollected on day 30. The antisera were shown by ELISA to beimmunoreactive against native botulinum neurotoxin type A and to itsderivative LH_(N)/A. Antisera which were botulinum neurotoxin reactiveat a dilution of 1:2000 were used for evaluation of neutralisingefficacy in mice. For neutralisation assays 0.1 ml of antiserum wasdiluted into 2.5 ml of gelatine phosphate buffer (GPB; Na₂HPO₄ anhydrous10 g/l, gelatin (Difco) 2 g/l, pH 6.5-6.6) containing a dilution rangefrom 0.5 Φg (5×10⁻⁶ g) to 5 picograms (5×10⁻¹² g). Aliquots of 0.5 mlwere injected into mice intraperitoneally and deaths recorded over a 4day period. The results are shown in Table 3 and Table 4. It can clearlybe seen that 0.5 ml of 1:40 diluted anti-GST-₂LH₄₂₃/A antiserum canprotect mice against intraperitoneal challenge with botulinum neurotoxinin the range 5 pg-50 ng (1-10,000 mouse LD50; 1 mouse LD50=5 pg).

TABLE 3 Neutralisation of botulinum neurotoxin in mice by guinea piganti-GST-₂LH₄₂₃/A antiserum. Botulinum Toxin/mouse Survivors 0.5 0.0050.0005 Control On Day μg μg μg 0.5 ng 0.005 ng 5 pg (no toxin) 1 0 4 4 44 4 4 2 — 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 — 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 — 4 4 4 4 4 4

TABLE 4 Neutralisation of botulinum neurotoxin in mice by non-immuneguinea pig antiserum. Botulinum Toxin/mouse Survivors 0.5 0.005 0.0005Control On Day μg μg μg 0.5 ng 0.005 ng 5 pg (no toxin) 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 42 — — — — — 0 4 3 — — — — — — 4 4 — — — — — — 4

EXAMPLE 4 Expression of Recombinant LH₁₀₇/B in E. coli

As an exemplification of the expression of a nucleic acid coding for aLH_(N) of a clostridial neurotoxin of a serotype other than botulinumneurotoxin type A, the nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 23) coding forthe polypeptide LH₁₀₇/B (SEQ ID NO: 24) was inserted into thecommercially available plasmid pET28a (Novogen, Madison, Wis., USA). Thenucleic acid was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) (New England BioLabs,Beverley, Mass., USA) as a fusion protein with a N-terminal T7 fusionpeptide, under IPTG induction at 1 mM for 90 minutes at 37EC. Cultureswere harvested and recombinant protein extracted as described previouslyfor LH₄₂₃/A.

Recombinant protein was recovered and purified from bacterial pastelysates by immunoaffinity adsorption to an immobilised anti-T7 peptidemonoclonal antibody using a T7 tag purification kit (New EnglandbioLabs, Beverley, Mass., USA). Purified recombinant protein wasanalysed by gradient (4-20%) denaturing SDS-polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis (Novex, San Diego, Calif., USA) and western blottingusing polyclonal anti-botulinum neurotoxin type antiserum or anti-T7antiserum. Western blotting reagents were from Novex, immunostainedproteins were visualised using the Enhanced Chemi-Luminescence system(ECL) from Amersham. The expression of an anti-T7 antibody andanti-botulinum neurotoxin type B antiserum reactive recombinant productis demonstrated in FIG. 13.

The recombinant product was soluble and retained that part of the lightchain responsible for endopeptidase activity.

The invention thus provides recombinant polypeptides useful inter aliaas immunogens, enzyme standards and components for synthesis ofmolecules as described in WO-A-94/21300.

EXAMPLE 5 Expression and Purification of LH_(N)C

The LH_(N)C DNA fragment from the native clostridial neurotoxin gene wassubcloned as a SalI-PstI fragment into the expression vector pMal-c2x(New England Biolabs). The gene fragment and the protein product thatwould be produced after proteolytic processing from the MBP-fusionprotein are defined in SEQ ID 129/130. Other commercially availableexpression systems such as pET vector (Novagen) pGEX vectors (Pharmacia)or pQE vectors (Qiagen) would also be suitable for expression of thegene fragments.

The expression clone was transferred into the host strain AD494(Novagen) containing a PACYC plasmid carrying the tRNA genes for thecodons ATA, AGA, and CTA (commercially available, for example, asRosetta strains from Novagen). As these codons are rarely used in E.coli, but are frequent in the clostridial genes encoding neurotoxins,the inclusion of these tRNA genes significantly increases expressionlevels. Those familiar with the art would recognise that this effect isnot limited to LH_(N)/C but is broadly applicable to all nativeclostridial LH_(N) fragments. Similar effects were observed in otherhost strains including HMS174 (Novagen) and TB1 (NEB), and a wide rangeof other hosts would be suitable for expression of these fragments.

Expression cultures of AD494 (PACYC tRNAs) pMalc2×LH_(N)/C were grown inTerrific Broth containing 35 μg/ml chloramphenicol, 100 μg/mlampicillin, 1 μM ZnCl₂ and 0.5% (w/v) glucose with an overnight culturediluted 1:100 into fresh media and grown for approximately 3 hours at37° C. to an OD₆₀₀ of 0.6-1. The cultures were induced with 1 mM IPTGand grown at 30° C. for 3-4 hours. Other expression systems used similarconditions except that the antibiotic was changed to kanamycin. Cellswere lysed by either sonication in column buffer (20 mM Hepes 125 mMNaCl 1 μM ZnCl₂ pH 7.2) or suitable detergent treatment (e.g. Bugbusterreagent; Novagen) and cell debris pelleted by centrifugation.Supernatant proteins were loaded onto an amylose resin columnequilibrated in column buffer and proteins eluted with a single stepelution using column buffer with 10 mM maltose.

The MBP-LH_(N)/C construct used in this example has a factor Xa sitesituated between the MBP and LH_(N) domains and also has a factor Xasite between the L and H_(N) domains to allow the formation of thedi-chain LH_(N) form. To remove the fusion tag and in this case toactivate the LH_(N) fragment, the eluted protein from the amylose columnis treated with factor Xa at a concentration of 1 unit protease activityper 50 μg purified fusion protein (as outlined by the manufacturer e.g.NEB) for approximately 20 hours at 25° C. The protein is then diluted1:5 with 20 mM Hepes pH 7.2 and loaded onto a Q-sepharose fast flowcolumn, the column washed and proteins eluted using a linear gradient of25-500 mM NaCl in the 20 mM Hepes buffer. The free LH_(N) fragment iseluted at approximately 50 mM NaCl with uncleaved fusion protein andfree MBP eluted at higher concentrations of NaCl.

Those familiar with the art will recognise that for alternativeexpression vectors such as pMal-c2g, where the site for removal of theMBP tag is genenase, two subsequent protease cleavage reactions would berequired for removal of the fusion partner (genenase cleavage) andsubsequent activation of the LH_(N) (factor Xa digestion). Thesecleavage reactions could be carried out simultaneously or with anintermediate ion exchange purification to remove contaminating proteins.An example of this model of purification/activation is identified below.These considerations are equally valid for native or syntheticactivation sites as detailed in the sequence information and for LH_(N)fragments of all the serotypes.

EXAMPLE 6 Expression and Purification of LH_(N)/F

The LH_(N) fragment from the native BoNT/F gene was modified by PCR toincorporate BamHI and HindIII, or other suitable sites, at the 5′ and 3′ends respectively. The gene fragment was cloned into pET 28 to maintainthe reading frames with the N-terminal His₆ purification tag. Theexpression clone was transferred to a host strain carrying the PACYCtRNA plasmid as outlined in example 5 and the DE3 lysogen carrying theT7 polymerase gene. Suitable host strains would include JM109, AD494,HMS174, TB1 TG1 or BL21 carrying the appropriate genetic elements. Forexample HMS174 (DE3) PACYC tRNA pET28a LH_(N)/F was used for expressionand purification.

Expression cultures of HMS174 (DE3) PACYC tRNA pET28a LH_(N)/F weregrown in Terrific Broth containing 35 μg/ml chloramphenicol, 35 μg/mlkanamycin, 1 μM ZnCl₂ and 0.5% (w/v) glucose to an OD₆₀₀ of 2.0 at 30°C. and cultures were induced with 500 μM IPTG and grown at 25° C. for 2hours prior to harvest by centrifugation. The cells were lysed in 20 mMHepes 500 mM NaCl pH 7.4 by sonication or detergent lysis and thesoluble protein fraction loaded onto a metal chelate column (e.g. IMACHiTrap column Amersham-Pharmacia) loaded with CuSO₄. Protein was elutedusing a linear gradient of imidazole with His₆ LH_(N)/F eluting atbetween 50 and 250 mM imidazole.

The His₆ tag was removed by treatment with thrombin essentially asdescribed in Example 5. The released LH_(N) fragment was purified usingion exchange on a Q-sepharose column as described in Example 5.

EXAMPLE 7 Expression and Purification of LH_(N)TeNT

A native LH_(N)TeNT gene fragment was modified to replace the nativelinker region with an enterokinase cleavable linker as shown in SEQ ID144/145 and to incorporate cloning sites at the 5′ (BamHI) and 3′ ends(HindIII). This fragment was subcloned into pMAL c2x and expressed inHMS174 (PACYC tRNA) as described in Example 5. Initial purification onan amylose resin column, cleavage with factor Xa to remove the fusiontag and the ion exchange purification was also as described in Example 5except that the positions of the elution peaks were reversed with thefree MBP peak eluting before the peak for free LH_(N).

EXAMPLE 8 Expression of LH_(N)/C from a Gateway Adapted ExpressionVector

The LH_(N)C fragment was cloned into a Gateway entry vector as aSalI-PstI. Two version were made with a stop codon within the 3′ PstIsite to terminate the protein at this position (LH_(N)C STOP; SEQ ID123/124), or with no stop codon to allow the expression of the fragmentwith C-terminal fusion partners (LH_(N)C NS; SEQ ID 131/132). The entryvector was recombined with the destination vector to allow expression ofthe fragment with an N-terminal MBP tag. Recombination was according tostandard protocols (Invitrogen Gateway expression manual).

Expression of the fusion protein from the strain AD494 (PACYC tRNA)pMTL-malE-GW LH_(N)C STOP, and its purification and was as described inExample 5. The addition of the additional N-terminal sequence made nosignificant change to the overall expression and purification. The finalproduct following factor Xa cleavage was a disulfide bonded di-chainfragment as described above.

For expression of the fragment with additional C-terminal domains theLH_(N)C NS entry vector was recombined with a destination vectorcarrying additional sequences following the attachment site and in theappropriate frame. The sequence of the DNA encoding the LH_(N)/Cfragment flanked by att sites that has the properties necessary tofacilitate recombination to create a full fusion is described in SEQ ID133. For example, the destination vector pMTL-malE-GW-att-IGF wasproduced by subcloning the coding sequence for human IGF as anXbaI-HindIII fragment into the appropriate sites. Recombination of theLH_(N)/C NS fragment into this vector yieldedpMTL-malE-GW-LH_(N)C-att-IGF.

This clone was expressed and purified as described above. Additionalpurification methods utilising the binding properties of the C-terminalIGF domain could also be used if desired.

Those familiar with the art will recognise that a similar approach couldbe used for other LH_(N) fragments from either BoNT/C or otherserotypes. Similarly other C-terminal purification tags or ligands couldbe incorporated into destination vectors in the same way as for IGFabove.

EXAMPLE 9 Expression of LH_(N)TeNT from a Gateway Adapted ExpressionVector

The LH_(N)TeNT BamHI-HindIII fragment described in Example 7 wassubcloned into an entry vector to maintain the appropriate readingframes. The entry vector was designed to incorporate a factor Xa siteimmediately adjacent to the BamHI site such that cleavage resulted in aprotein starting with the GlySer residues encoded by the BamHI site. Theentry vector was recombined with a commercially available destinationvector carrying an N-terminal 6-His tag (e.g. pDEST17; Invitrogen). Theresulting clone pDEST17 LH_(N)TeNT was expressed in the host strainHMS174 (PACYC tRNA). As described in Example 6. Purification of thefusion protein is also as described in Example 5 with the N-terminal Histag removed by factor Xa treatment, followed by subsequent removal offactor Xa on a Q-sepharose column.

EXAMPLE 10 Directed Coupling of an LH_(N)/B Fragment and a Ligand via afos/jun or Glu/Arg Molecular Clamp

LH_(N)/C clones of the type described in SEQ ID 115/116, 117/118,119/120 & 121/122 were expressed and purified as previously indicated inExample 5. Purified, activated LH_(N)/C protein was then mixed with anequimolar amount of ligand tagged with the complementary clamp partner(jun-tagged ligand for SEQ ID 117/118 and 121/122; poly-arginine-taggedligand for SEQ ID 115/116 and 119/120). Proteins were gently mixed tofacilitate associated, then purified to isolate associatedligand-endopeptidase fragment.

EXAMPLE 11 Directed Coupling of an LH_(N)TeNT Fragment and a Ligand viaan Acid/Base Molecular Clamp

LH_(N)TeNT clones of the type described in SEQ ID 142/143, 144/145 &146/147 were modified to incorporate one component of the acid/baseleucine zipper clamping system. Following expression and purification ofthe tagged proteins as previously indicated in Example 5, theassociation with tagged ligand was performed essentially as described inExample 10.

EXAMPLE 12 Activation of LH_(N)/B, Carrying a Thrombin ProteaseProcessing Site, to Yield a Di-Chain Fragment

As in SEQ ID 99/100 an LH_(N)/B carrying a thrombin site in the linkerbetween the L and H_(N) domains was expressed from pMAL c2x essentiallyas described in Example 5. The purified LH_(N)/B fragment was incubatedwith 1 unit thrombin per mg protein for 20 hours at 25° C. The di-chainLH_(N) was separated form the thrombin by further purification on aQ-sepharose column as described in Example 5

EXAMPLE 13 Activation of LH_(N)TeNT Carrying an Enterokinase ProcessingSite to Yield a Di-Chain Fragment

To prepare activated di-chain LH_(N) the purified protein (e.g. obtainedfrom SEQ ID 144/145) was treated with enterokinase at a concentration of1 enzyme unit per 50 μg purified protein at 25° C. for 20 hours. Theactivated di-chain LH_(N) was then purified from the enterokinase by ionexchange on a Q-sepharose column under identical conditions to that usedfor the purification following factor Xa cleavage (as described inExample 5) or using a benzamidine sepharose column equilibrated in 20 mMHepes 100 mM NaCl pH7.2 to specifically bind and remove theenterokinase.

1. A single-chain polypeptide comprising: (a) a clostridial neurotoxinlight chain peptide that cleaves a vesicle- or plasmamembrane-associated protein essential to exocytosis; and (b) aclostridial neurotoxin heavy chain peptide that comprises a clostridialneurotoxin heavy chain H_(N) peptide and a clostridial neurotoxin heavychain C-terminal extension of said heavy chain H_(N) peptide; wherein(i) the clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain peptide translocates theclostridial neurotoxin light chain peptide into a cell, and (ii) theclostridial neurotoxin heavy chain peptide lacks a functional heavychain H_(C) peptide thereby rendering the polypeptide incapable ofbinding to cell surface receptors to which a native clostridialneurotoxin binds.
 2. A single-chain polypeptide according to claim 1,wherein the clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain peptide lacks at leastpart of the clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain H_(C) peptide, therebyrendering the polypeptide incapable of binding to cell surface receptorsto which a native clostridial neurotoxin binds.
 3. A single-chainpolypeptide according to claim 1, wherein the clostridial neurotoxinheavy chain peptide lacks a C-terminal portion of the clostridialneurotoxin heavy chain H_(C) peptide, thereby rendering the polypeptideincapable of binding to cell surface receptors to which a nativeclostridial neurotoxin binds.
 4. A single-chain polypeptide according toclaim 1, wherein the clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain peptidecomprises up to 728 amino acid residues from the amino terminus of theclostridial neurotoxin H_(N) peptide.
 5. A single-chain polypeptideaccording to claim 1, wherein the clostridial neurotoxin heavy chainpeptide comprises at least amino acid 728 residues from the aminoterminus of the clostridial neurotoxin H_(N) peptide.
 6. A single-chainpolypeptide according to claim 1, wherein the clostridial neurotoxinheavy chain peptide comprises at least 423 amino acid residues from theamino terminus of the clostridial neurotoxin H_(N) peptide.
 7. Asingle-chain polypeptide according to claim 1, wherein the clostridialneurotoxin heavy chain peptide comprises at least 417 amino acidresidues from the amino terminus of the clostridial neurotoxin H_(N) 8.A single-chain polypeptide according to claim 1, wherein the polypeptideincludes a protease cleavage site located between the clostridialneurotoxin light chain peptide and the clostridial neurotoxin heavychain peptide, and wherein cleavage of the protease cleavage siteconverts the single-chain polypeptide into a di-chain polypeptide inwhich the clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain peptide and the clostridialneurotoxin light chain peptide are linked via a disulphide bond.
 9. Asingle-chain polypeptide according to claim 8, wherein the proteasecleavage site is an endogenous clostridial neurotoxin di-chain proteasecleavage site or an exogenous cleavage site.
 10. A single-chainpolypeptide according to claim 1, wherein the polypeptide includes apeptide ligand that binds the polypeptide to a receptor on a targetcell.
 11. A polynucleotide molecule encoding a single-chain polypeptideaccording to claim
 1. 12. A method of producing a single-chainpolypeptide according to claim 1, comprising the step of expressing apolynucleotide molecule according to claim 11 in a cell.
 13. A method ofproducing a di-chain polypeptide, comprising the step of contracting asingle-chain polypeptide according to claim 8 with a protease thatcleaves said cleavage site, thereby generating a di-chain polypeptide inwhich the clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain peptide and the clostridialneurotoxin light chain peptide are linked via a disulphide bond.
 14. Adi-chain polypeptide, comprising: (a) a clostridial neurotoxinlight-chain peptide that cleaves a vesicle- or plasmamembrane-associated protein essential to exocytosis; and (b) aclostridial neurotoxin heavy-chain peptide that comprises a clostridialneurotoxin heavy chain H_(N) peptide and a clostridial neurotoxin heavychain C-terminal extension of said heavy chain H_(N) peptide; wherein(i) the clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain peptide translocates theclostridial neurotoxin light chain peptide into a cell, and (ii) theclostridial neurotoxin heavy chain peptide lacks a functional heavychain H_(C) peptide thereby rendering the polypeptide incapable ofbinding to cell surface receptors to which a native clostridialneurotoxin binds; and (c) wherein the clostridial neurotoxin heavy chainpeptide and the clostridial neurotoxin light chain peptide are linkedvia a disulphide bond.
 15. A di-chain polypeptide according to claim 14wherein the polypeptide includes a peptide ligand that binds thepolypeptide to a receptor on a target cell.